El Villarreal get in the way of Las Palmas’ efforts to stay up (0-2)

The first half started brightly, but petered out as the minutes went on. Villarreal CF struck first with an effort by Raba in the 2nd minute which Chichizola saved, and Fornals then showed his ability in the first 10 minutes of the game. Las Palmas shook the initial dominance by Calleja’s men, with a fine move started by Macedo and a shot by Calleri Sergio Asenjo skillfully turned away in the 18th minute. Alen Halilovic also saw his shot from the edge of the box saved by Villarreal’s goalkeeper in the 28th minute.  

The game petered out up until half time, as Jaume Costa was replaced by Adrián Marín on the left hand side, as the defender was forced off injured. Everything to play for in the second half, in a match that saw Erik Expósito make his First Division home debut in his team’s starting line-up. Paco Jémez brought on Momo and Benito to replace Etebo and Erik. The manager was looking for a reaction from his team. The player from La Aldea played in a forward left position while Momo took over a midfield fole alongside Vicente and Tana. Unión Deportiva went for a 4-3-3 formation to the end of the match.

Javier Calleja also reshuffled his pack, by bringing on Sansone to replace Raba in the 58th minute, which was the second change made to the away side. In the 60th minute, Ximo Navarro was given a yellow card for bringing down Fornals in a counter attack by Villarreal, who were by now playing more fluently at the start of the second half. Las Palmas couldn’t find the way to keep possession or create any meaningful chances.

In the 66th minute, Bacca got on the scoresheet with a breathtaking move that opened up the Las Palmas defence, the Columbian finishing with a powerful strike in off the bar to Chichizola’s left. The yellows were suddenly stung, and could have given away two further goals following two menacing breakaways, both of which were missed by Bacca. The away team were looking to wrap up the points. Paco Jémez attempted to find a way to bring his team level by replacing Macedo by Nacho Gil in the 78th minute. Calleja made his final change too, bringing on Castillejo for Bacca.

Las Palmas could find no way through, and succumbed to a second Villarreal goal, this time from the penalty spot in the 90th minute. It was scored by Sansone, following a straight red card for Gálvez. The defender will now not be available to play against Deportivo de La Coruña next Saturday in Riazor. First Division safety now stands at four points, following Levante’s win.