Las Palmas achieves a great victory in Pucela and sleeps at the top (0-1)
UD Las Palmas continues its excellent run as a visiting team, remaining unbeaten, and this Friday also as the provisional leader of the competition. Because the 0-1 victory over Real Valladolid allows the yellows to temporarily sleep at the top of the standings.
The victory was forged with an excellent goal by Pejiño and another clean sheet, achieved with decisive interventions by Dinko Horkas and a sacrificial defense from the entire team led by Luis García Fernández.
The first minutes of the match in Valladolid were unsettling for Las Palmas. Despite the yellows taking on the task of creating, it was their opponent who reached the area three times with shots from Delgado and two from Peter Federico.
Goalkeeper Horkas then intervened twice to prevent any changes on the scoreboard. Particularly commendable was his second save, from a shot by Federico near the small area.
But it was Las Palmas who celebrated the opening goal of the match, which would be the decisive one, when the clock showed the 13th minute. The goal was scored by Pejiño, with a personal run down the right wing, decisively entering the area and shooting near the base of a post. Goalkeeper Guillherme could not reach the ball.
With the 0-1 already on the scoreboard, Las Palmas continued with their workmanlike approach against an opponent that once again tested Horkas, with a dangerous shot from Amath Ndiaye in the 26th minute. Later, the goalkeeper was also alert to repel a header from Tomeo.
The score remained unchanged at halftime, although it could have also favored the yellows in the 43rd minute. The chance fell to Serbian Lukovic, but his final shot failed to beat goalkeeper Guillherme's position.
Luis García Fernández switched the wings at the start of the second half. First, due to Ale García's discomfort. Later, replacing Pejiño with Viti. By then, Las Palmas had less attacking output, and Valladolid was pressing with physical effort.
Las Palmas understood that the match required defensive sacrifice to protect the lead achieved through Pejiño. In the second half, the visitors increased their defensive efforts, with the added fortune that the best chance for Valladolid was denied by the crossbar, following a shot by Alejo.
The yellows also had their chances, with two headers from crosses by Viera. The headers came from Clemente and Barcia, but that second goal for comfort never came. However, in the end, it wasn't necessary.