Former West Brom boss Carlos Corberan endures Valencia heartbreak in Real Madrid clash

Valencia almost ripped up the form book under the new head coach with a first-half goal through Hugo Duro. 

The clash at Mestalla was Corberan’s first at the helm since his dramatic departure from The Hawthorns, which was confirmed shortly before midnight on Christmas Eve.

 And it looked like a winning start for Corberan but for a dramatic late intervention from the La Liga and European champions, who turned the scoreline around with 10 men after Vinicius Jr’s dismissal.

The Black Country’s England star Bellingham was the last-gasp hero as he pounced on a poor defensive pass to convert a 95th-minute winner.

Bellingham had earlier missed a penalty shortly into the second half.

Veteran midfield star Luka Modric bagged an equaliser shortly after coming on with five minutes of normal time remaining.

Los Che have now gone five games without a win and are second-bottom of the Spanish top flight - four points from safety - while Madrid went to the summit.

Madrid’s forward line included Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius, Rodrygo and Bellingham. 

Corberan tweeted afterwards: “We have not achieved the results we expected, but we will draw the necessary conclusions to continue growing.

“Thank you fans for the welcome and support you have shown us throughout the match.”

 Former Blues midfielder Bellingham wrote on Instagram: “It’s always eventful at the Mestalla.”