MADRID, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Fernando Morientes scored twice to lift Valencia to third place with a 3-1 home win over Atletico Madrid in the Spanish first division league on Saturday.

Roberto Ayala and Morientes put Valencia in command with goals early in each half, but on his return

Former Liverpool striker Morientes made sure of a deserved victory with his ninth goal of the season midway through the second half.

Valencia have 39 points, two short of second-placed Sevilla, who host Real Sociedad on Sunday, and three behind leaders Barcelona who visit Osasuna.

Fourth-placed Real Madrid, who are on 38 points, host Levante at the Bernabeu.

Earlier, striker Sergio Garcia struck late to keep Real Zaragoza in the hunt for a Champions League place with a 2-1 win

Zaragoza are sixth, a point behind fifth-placed Atletico, who have 36 points.

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