Las Palmas facing the drop (2-1)

Paco Jémez made several changes in his starting line-up, in this the yellows’ most important match of the season. Erik Expósito started up front instead of Jonathan Calleri. Ezekiel was in the midfield alongside the former youth player. Dani Castellano returned to defence, which caused changes to the right hand side: Aguirregaray took over in place of Michel Macedo. With Nigeriano Etebo back in the side, the double anchor was completed with Javi Castellano.

UD Las Palmas showed a lot of confidence in the early stages, with plenty of possession against their rivals. In the first move of the match (min. 5), Ezekiel ran through in a one on one with the home goalkeeper Oier, only to see his effort rebound off him to safety. Both sides showed signs of nerves. A draw was sufficient for Levante, and they were less adventurous in their play. Las Palmas lacked the pace and conviction required to win this vital match and keep their hopes of first division survival alive.

A quick break by Levante, along with a defensive error by the yellows, ended with the ball in the back of Chichizola’s net. Coke needed only to push the ball over the line as it came loose in the 6-yard box (min. 35). The first half ended with a slender lead for the home side, and pushed Las Palmas firmly against the ropes.

In the second half, Calleri came on for the injured Momo. Las Palmas needed to make a comeback in order to stay alive. Levante (min. 47) had a great chance to score a second goal, through Morales. Fortunately for the yellows, the ball went just over the crossbar. Then in the 50th minute, following a corner and several rebounds, David García fired home the equalizer. The game was back to square one, with both teams looking shaky in defence and attempting to get forward.

The best move of the match for Las Palmas, as they began to take control of proceedings, saw Calleri shoot high over the bar (min. 65) when he was looking at a gaping goal. Nigerian Ezekiel, in his best match for the away team, held his head in his hands after his fine shot went inches wide of the post (min. 72). Levante responded with a header by Roger that was saved by the well placed Chichizola. The Argentine ‘keeper turned a cross-shot by Roger around the post for a corner (min. 82).

With five minutes left on the clock, Las Palmas found themselves with an extra man, following the sending off of Coke, for two bookable offences. Then at the death Campaña curled a well placed shot into the corner to make the scores 2-1. With this result Las Palmas are now ten points from safety and have a negative goal average. Morales even had a chance to score his side’s third goal, but shot wide with an open goal begging. This was the worst possible end for Las Palmas.