Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said his team were leaving with their heads held high after Saturday's 3-1 La Liga defeat at the Mestalla as Valencia were an excellent team who should make the top four this season.
Atletico were 3-0 down after just 13 minutes as first Miranda headed into his own net, then Andre Gomes scored a superb solo effort and Nicolas Otamendi soon headed home a corner.
The visitors finally composed themselves and got one back through Mario Mandzukic's close-range header, before Guilherme Siqueira missed a penalty which would have made it 3-2 before the break.
The second half was less dramatic but the Mestalla crowd could relax when Colchoneros substitute Alessio Cerci was sent off for a second yellow card late on.
Simeone told his postmatch news conference that his team had been caught out at the start, but he could not then fault their attempt to try and get back into the game.
"Valencia started very quickly, we made mistakes up to 3-0, and then we played a very good game," the Argentine said. "I am leaving happy with the work of the team. We left everything out on the pitch. I am proud of their effort."
Simeone did not directly say that his side's slow start was down to Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League win over Juventus, but did point out that not playing in Europe this season was a plus for Valencia's chances to finish in La Liga's top four.
"With the squad they have, and without the effort of playing in Europe, they would have to do very badly not to make the top four," he said. "I said that at the start of the league, they have a great squad. They also have a very good coach."
Valencia boss Nuno Espirito Santo, meanwhile, was understandably full of praise for his players' performances.
"We started the game very well, with some luck in the first goal, but then we stuck to our idea of play," Nuno said. "Being 3-0 up in 15 minutes gives you a big advantage. At 3-1 we were a bit worried, but in the second half we were very good again, we pressed a bit more, which is our idea of the game, and had more control of the game."
The win returned Valencia temporarily to the top of the table, but Nuno was keen to stress that neither he nor his team would be getting carried away with their unbeaten start to the season.
"There are very good teams in this league," he said. "Our objective will not change, to keep improving as a team and as players. We are a very young team. We have 17 points, we want to have 20 after the next game. This is a nice day, of course, but our success is in the future. I am very optimistic."
The former Rio Ave boss had special praise for Otamendi, who as well as scoring his team's third goal, put in a towering performance at the back.
"Otamendi is improving every day, he has a very special character, he is a leader," Nuno said. "It is necessary to have people like Nico on the pitch. We have the youngest team in La Liga, so having such characters is important."