Villarreal sink Las Palmas deeper into the table while the Yellow Submarine drop to third
Villarreal 3-1 Las Palmas
Villarreal emerged victorious in an exciting encounter, in which The Palms once again he showed a lot of quality but little punch.
The visitors started the better, forcing Diego Conde into an excellent save from Ollie McBurnie, before Alberto Moleiro slipped past several defenders to lay on a plate for Fabio Silva. The Portuguese, long in the six-yard box, shot wide to everyone's disbelief.
Villarreal bringing a lot of threat, and they also forced a good save from Dinko Horkas. On the stroke of half-time, however, the Yellow Submarine stole the opening goal, clearing the field through Thierno Barry, who slotted it in for Nicolas Pepe. The Ivorian did not forgive in the box.
In the second half, Marcelino Garcia Toral sent Alex Baena on, but it was Adnan Januzaj who provided a fine assist off the boot behind Silva, who this time lifted the ball past Conde. Baena then missed a penalty minutes later, brilliantly saved by Horkas on the woodwork. Januzaj almost leveled things up but his effort, all in the first ten minutes of the second half, went wide of the post.
The last half hour belonged to Villarreal however, as they dominated the match. Barry thought he had the goal going, but confusedly tapped in Eric Bailly's head from an offside position. His head was destined for the corner as it was. However, Barry would head home the winner with just five minutes to go, converting a fine cross from Baena. The Spanish international will then have a knockout blow, driving from almost halfway in the box and finishing in stoppage time.
Marcelino's men moved into third place ahead of a trip to Real Madrid, showing the huge goal threat they possess once again, should they have a few hiccups along the way. However, Luis Carrion will feel increasingly insecure as his side remain bottom with just three draws from eight games. Once again, they will feel that they have shown a lot of quality, but they will not be able to make a difference in the margins.
