Valencia 4-0 Granada
- Published
Alvaro Negredo was recalled to the starting line-up and scored a hat-trick
Alvaro Negredo scored a hat-trick as Gary Neville's Valencia thrashed Granada in the Copa del Rey round of 16 first leg.
The ex-Manchester City striker dispossessed a defender before firing them into an early lead and Rodrigo tapped their second into an empty net.
Negredo put Valencia in control of the tie with two second-half penalties.
The 30-year-old, who had appendicitis this season, had scored three goals in his previous 15 games this campaign.
Both goalscorers started for the cup tie, having come on as substitutes in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Real Madrid, Rafael Benitez's last game in charge.
Wednesday's victory was Neville's second as Valencia boss, having beaten Barakaldo 2-0 in the last round.
The second leg of their tie with La Liga strugglers Granada is on Thursday, 14 January.
Earlier on Wednesday, second tier Mirandes drew 1-1 with Deportivo La Coruna in their first leg.
Athletic Bilbao, who lost last year's final to Barcelona, beat Villarreal 3-2.