Stoke's hopes of advancing in the Europa League were dented as Valencia won the first leg of their last 32 tie thanks to Mehmet Topal's stunning goal.<br /><br />Asmir Begovic made a fine save to deny Jonas before Topal fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner from 30 yards.<br /><br />Peter Crouch came close to levelling it with an acrobatic strike, while Sofiane Feghouli's effort came back off a post.<br /><br />Stoke pushed for a late equaliser but Valencia will take an away goal into the return leg in Spain on 23 February.<br /><br />They were worthy winners for a performance that combined flair, grit and hard work to bring Stoke's unbeaten home record in Europe to an end.<br /><br />The Potters have now lost their last six matches in all competitions, but the one-goal deficit means they can go to the Mestalla with hope.<br /><br />Valencia had lost their previous eight matches against English opposition but they currently sit third in La Liga and it was easy to see why. <br />After surviving an early scare when Jon Walters dragged wide inside 30 seconds, the Spaniards utilised their technical brilliance to take control.<br /><br />They lined up with a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation in which full-backs Bruno Saltor and Jeremy Mathieu operated mainly as wingers and the brilliant Jonas dropped off striker Aritz Aduriz to orchestrate most attacks.<br /><br />Stoke caused problems of their own with a more direct approach, but is was Valencia who carried the greater threat going forward.<br /><br />Jonas showed quick feet to draw a superb one-handed stop from Begovic, while both Feghouli and Pablo Piatti went close as the visitors probed for an important away goal.<br /><br />It duly arrived - and how. Topal abandoned his holding midfield role to venture upfield and with Stoke allowing the Turk too much time and space, he arrowed a 30-yard screamer into the top corner.<br /><br />The strike was worthy of winning any match, but Stoke almost responded in kind as Crouch fired narrowly off target with a perfectly-timed overhead kick from Jermaine Pennant's right-wing cross.<br /><br />Stoke had
