Las Palmas draw against Alavés and avoid relegation (1-1)
A wonder goal by Prince just before half time -and his tenth of the season- gave the yellows a draw meaning they are safe for another year and will once again be playing in the best league in the world next season. Ibay Gómez scored the equalizer in the s
UD Las Palmas came into the match with several changes in the starting line-up compared to the last match in Bilbao. With Viera and Vicente out through injury and the return of both Jesé and Prince Quique Setién made the necessary changes, as well as tactical changes in defence, with David García being recalled.
The team came into the match on a sunny afternoon in April with the aim of securing first division safety and giving fans a better performance than in the previous match in San Mamés.
The game started with a dangerous cross shot by Jesé that went just wide. It was a good chance for the home team to go ahead. Once again Jesé had a chance inside the area which again went just wide, as the yellows were beginning to press forward.
In the 15th minute Laguardia gave way to Ely, who slotted into the away defence. Halilovic tried his luck with a long range effort, but the ball flew over the bar, as the teams reached the halfway point of the first half. The home team were on top but could not make their chances count.
A sturdy Theo caused the first yellow card of the match for Roque Mesa as he sped down the wing. In the 32nd minute a shot by Halilovic rebounded off a defender but did not find the net. UD Las Palmas were trying hard to no avail in a game with not a lot of quality, until the moment Prince popped up with a piece of magic to bring a ball down played through to him by Tana and send a beautiful lob over visiting goalkeeper Pacheco in the 44th minute, (1-0).
The last half an hour was reached with the minimum home advantage and swords drawn.
Alavés got their goal in rather strange circumstances through Ibay to bring the teams level at 1-1, in a hotly disputed move which both home players and fans would argue was from an offside position.
The goal seemed to spur the yellows on, who went out to get another goal. Setién strengthened his midfield by bringing on Hernán for Tana. He also tried to bring freshness to his attack by bringing on youth team player Benito in place of Halilović and Livaja in place of Prince. The game however seemed to lurch towards an inevitable draw to mathematically guarantee first division safety for UD Las Palmas, although there was time for Raúl to get his hand on the ball to keep out a certain goal, while Livaja was sent off just before the end.
