On A Day Like Today: One step closer to the title with a win over Espanyol

Saturday, April 27th, 2002 was a momentous day for Valencia CF fans at Mestalla and at home, as the club drew closer to their first LaLiga title in three decades. A fightback against RCD Espanyol, similar to that which they performed in the first half of the season, helped them on their way. The game also saw the return to action of Rubén Baraja after five months out injured, and he scored the two goals that gave VCF victory.

Valencia CF were leaders going into Matchday 36, with a single-point advantage over Real Madrid. Some nervy moments followed, as just before the half hour mark there was a penalty scored by Raúl Tamudo and a sending off for Amedeo Carboni (for an elbow on De Lucas) that stacked the odds against the team. At the time, Real Madrid were drawing in Anoeta against Real Sociedad and went temporarily top of the table.

But Rafa Benitez' side weren't about to lay down. Baraja and Kily González changed the game, with the Argentine coming off the bench and sending in two low crosses for 'Pipo' to finish. The second was turned in on 80 minutes, putting VCF ahead and coinciding with Real Sociedad overturning Real Madrid.

The results meant a 4-point advantage for Valencia CF with 6 still in play. The April 27th fightback tipped the balance in the title chase in their favour.