Las Palmas deserve so much more in derby draw (1-1)

The game started in intrepid style with a chance for both sides in the first two minutes; firstly Nano for Tenerife and then Juan Cala for Las Palmas. There was a festive atmosphere this afternoon at the Estadio Gran Canaria as fans witnessed a derby match with three vital points at stake for both teams. There were two new faces in Las Palmas’ starting eleven: Blum and Fidel came into the side as natural wide players. Paco Herrera’s side gradually took control of a highly tactical affair.

Danny Blum had two shots from outside the box as he showed the danger he could cause from out on the left. The home side looked dangerous from set-pieces. From their best move of the match, Sergio Araujo (min. 18) put his side 1-0 ahead following great play down the wing by Fidel. In his 100th game in the yellow shirt, the Argentinian striker scored the goal he said he owed to the fans.

There were moments from then on in which the home side’s defence were stretched by Tenerife’s forward attack. However, it was Las Palmas who looked more in control and clear about what they needed to do. The goal did a lot to settle Paco Herrera’s side. Their football was more cultured and this helped them to play in a more convincing style.

In the second half, Tenerife attempted to pose more of a threat but they couldn’t hold on to the ball for long. Las Palmas pressured well and won most of the 50/50 balls. A highly motivated Araujo nearly scored his side’s second goal, but visiting ‘keeper Dani Hernández pushed away his cross shot (min. 56). Then a great save by Raúl Fernández from a drive by Suso kept the home side in front. Despite this, UD Las Palmas were growing as a team as the minutes went by and their errors became less visible. Their improvement was nearly complete as just a minute later Blum sent a curling effort against the angle between crossbar and post and the follow up header by Araujo was blocked right on the goal line by Camille.

With eleven minutes to go, the referee made the huge error of pointing to the penalty spot after a shot was blocked by the head of David García and not his hand, which was duly despatched by visiting forward Suso. In the process the yellow’s captain was sent off for a second bookable offence. With seven minutes added on, Las Palmas, who were down to ten men, tried in vain to get the winning goal. The final whistle went with a share of the points.