Las Palmas fall to Brighton, eighth in the Premier League (2-0)

The second preseason friendly began with an offensive frenzy, noticeable almost from the start. In the 1st minute of play, it was Dinko Horkas who prevented the 0-0 from changing. The Croatian goalkeeper managed to get a hand to save on the goal line from a header by O’Riley.

But Las Palmas responded quickly as well, forcing British goalkeeper Steele to make a close-range save in the 9th minute. The shot came from Jaime Mata, but the ball hit Brighton’s last defensive barrier.

It seemed that the match was already under control, with an intense battle in midfield. But in just one minute, the scoreline turned very unfavorable with two goals from the Premier League side.

The 1-0 came after an attacking move finished by Ayari right in front of goal, receiving a pass while unmarked. And the 2-0, barely a minute later, was O’Riley’s work. The attacker intercepted a pass from Mika Mármol, and noticing Horkas’ advanced position, he opted for a long shot near the post.

The yellow team felt the impact of those two goals, although they tried to create danger again in their opponent’s defense. Brighton, however, also moved their attacking pieces and enjoyed new chances, two of them denied by interventions from the Croatian Dinko Horkas.

In the second half, the scenario changed. Luis García’s players, with a revamped eleven due to substitutions, managed to balance the game again. There were also some chances to at least reduce the gap.

These chances came through Ale García, Iñaki González, and Sory. The winger managed to beat his marker several times and, in one of those actions, reached the box but couldn’t finish due to a defensive reaction. González later shot very close to the corner of the goal from the edge of the area, sending the ball with real intent. And Sory Kaba, after a pass from Marvin Park, troubled the English goalkeeper with a low shot.

The goal for the team from Gran Canaria didn’t come this time, although the overall feeling improved as the match progressed.

Line-ups:

Brighton: Steele, Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, De Cupyer, Ayari, Hinshelwood, Gruda, O’Riley, Welbeck, and Kaoru Mitoma

Substitutes: Rushworth (gk), Moran, Diego Gómez, Cashin, Pervis Estupiñán, Yalcouyé, Milner, Bounanotte, Diego Coppola, Georginio Rutter, Minteh, Mackley, and Ramming

UD Las Palmas: Horkas, Viti, Juanma Herzog, Mika Mármol, Enrique Clemente, Cedeño, Loiodice, Iván Gil, Manu Fuster, Pejiño, and Jaime Mata

Also played in the second half: Sergio Barcia, Pejiño, Arturo Rodríguez, Adrián Suárez (gk), Marvin Park, Sergio Ruiz, Sory Kaba, Iñaki González, Alex Suárez, Valentín Pezzolesi, and Sergio Viera

Goals: 1-0, 15’: Ayari. 2-0, 16’: O’Riley

Referee: José Antonio Palomares Gutiérrez (Cádiz), assisted by José Miguel Ganaza and Guillermo Castaño. Yellow cards for Loiodice and Viti (Las Palmas).