Oliveira treble as Valencia go top
MADRID, Spain -- Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira grabbed a hat-trick as Valencia made a spectacular return to winning form with a crushing 6-1 victory away at Malaga.
Valencia, who had taken just one point from their previous two games, storm to the top of the Spanish Primera Liga table by a point from champions Real Madrid.
However, Real can reclaim top spot on Sunday if they beat Valladolid.
Valencia got off to a flying start when they went 2-0 up inside the first 15 minutes, Mista heading in the first and Oliveira firing in the second.
Things went from bad to worse for the home side when keeper Francesc Arnau was sent off for handling the ball outside the area midway through the half and Valencia took full advantage when defender Carlos Marchena scored a third straight after the break.
Oliveira completed his hat-trick with two powerful headers in a devastating seven-minute spell and midfielder David Albelda completed the rout with a sixth.
Salva Ballesta pulled one back just over a minute later, but it was scant consolation for a beleaguered Malaga who have now lost five games in a row.
