BARCELONA • Valencia's dismal start to the Primera Liga season continued on Tuesday when they lost 0-1 at Espanyol, with Victor Alvarez scoring in the first half.

Although it was only their first loss, Valencia have just one win from five league games and are eighth with six points.

Low on confidence, they did not take advantage of early openings before Alvarez tucked home a Marco Asensio cross after 18 minutes.

There was little rhythm to their game and in the second half, they relied on goalkeeper Jaume Domenech to make important saves.

"I have no doubts over my work nor that of the players," Valencia manager Nuno Espirito Santo said.

"In the first half, we were the better side but then, in the second half, we didn't play well."

Fans had called for his resignation during Saturday's 0-0 draw at home with Real Betis.

There could be more problems ahead for Valencia, who are owned by Singapore billionaire Peter Lim.

Under him, they are back in the Champions League. But some claim the club overpaid for players like Rodrigo, Alvaro Negredo and Joao Cancelo, who arrived for a reported combined total of €77 million (S$122 million).

Miguel Zorio, a former vice-president of the club, has said he will present a paper to a supporters' meeting today alleging mismanagement of the club's finances. "The fans are starting to realise the situation and people are coming to me who are not happy," he said.

REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE