Las Palmas held to a draw by Rayo Vallecano (1-1)
UD Las Palmas rounded off 2019 and the first half of the season with a 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano. Narváez put the home side ahead, before Embarba equalised from the penalty spot for the Madrid side. Aythami Artiles reached his 250 match tally for the
Las Palmas deserved to get more out of the game than Rayo Vallecano, due to their performance, goal-scoring chances and effort, but it was a point apiece which keeps Las Palmas in the hunt for a play-off spot. Manager Mel played the same team that overcame Elche in the second half of last week’s encounter, with Srnic wide on the right. The home side went ahead with a through ball by Benito, a back heel by Jonathan Viera, and a goal by Juanjo Narváez. Just six minutes into the match and the yellows were one-up against Paco Jémez’s Rayo. The Madrid side equalised from the penalty spot following a foul by Kirian. Rayo’s captain, Embarba, stepped up to hit the ball high into the roof of the net beyond the reach of Álvaro Valles (min. 20).
Jonathan Viera nearly scored the goal of the afternoon, but his long-range free-kick hit the angle of crossbar and post. (min. 24). Rayo got the ball forward quickly, and were bold in their approach. Pepe Mel’s side were moving the ball around quickly trying to find gaps. Once again Jonathan Viera nearly scored with a cross-shot that shaved goalkeeper Dimitrievski’s upright.
In a superb attacking move by Pedri and Jonathan Viera, Rayo managed to keep out a certain second goal, but Viera, volleyed over. Las Palmas were playing the football and were looking to go ahead before the break. However, Rayo held out against the wave of attacks by the home side.
In the second half, Rayo Vallecano were reduced to ten men (min. 50) following the sending off of Trejo for two bookable offences. Pepe Mel reshuffled his pack and brought on Sergio Araujo who was back in front of the home fans for the first time following his injury. The Argentine nearly snatched the winning goal in the 60th minute, but his lob went just wide, following great pass by Viera. Narváez limped off to be replaced by Maikel Mesa.
Las Palmas took the game to their opponents. Rayo Vallecano, with their ten men, looked to waste time at every opportunity and attempted to break down the home sides attacks, who were patiently looking to create openings. They tried every way they could, but no further chances were created. The referee added six minutes but the score remained unchanged. So Las Palmas finished 2019 with a draw and a fight to reach the play-offs in the new year.
