Valencia boss Nuno Espirito Santo breathed a huge sigh of relief as Los Che clung on to record a nervy 1-0 over Granada on Friday.
The Portuguese coach’s future in the job has been questioned after a poor start to the campaign that had seen Valencia take just five points from their opening five games.
However, a more positive performance from the hosts was rewarded by Shkodran Mustafi’s first-half winner as the German international powered home a header from Zakaria Bakali’s cross.
“I continue to believe we are a team that has to work hard. We can’t win games easily,” Mustafi told Canal Plus.
“Every team that comes here play at 120 percent. All we could to do today was win and that is what we did.”
Valencia were still grateful to a brilliant save from goalkeeper Jaume Domenech from Ruben Rochina’s free-kick to go in ahead at half-time.
However, the home side should have added to their lead in the second-half as Paco Alcacer headed over, was denied by a fine save from Andres Fernandez and saw a goal marginally ruled out for offside.
Victory moves Valencia up to sixth, four points behind leaders Real Madrid, Celta Vigo and Villarreal.
Madrid and Barcelona are both in action on Saturday when they host Malaga and Las Palmas respectively.