Las Palmas grind out their first away win (1-2)
UD Las Palmas earned their first away victory of the season this afternoon in the Estadio Francisco de la Hera in Extremadura. It has been a year since they achieved a win away from home. Rubén Castro, with a penalty, and Maikel Mesa scored their goals to
Las Palmas ground out their win in Almendralejo and remain unbeaten in the league. Manolo Jiménez played virtually the same side that overcame Nástic de Tarragona in their last league encounter. There was just one change made, with Rafa Mir coming in for Tana. Extremadura exerted pressure from the kick off with their direct playing style. But early on Las Palmas got a penalty when Galarreta was fouled, and Rubén Castro stepped up to make the score 0-1 (min, 13) and settled the away team down.
Las Palmas had to withstand Extremadura breathing down their necks, with many fouls made by the home side in what was an intense first half, although the yellows held the upper hand. With pressure, and the occasional long ball, the away side kept any attempts by the home side at bay, as they strived to trouble the goal defended by Raúl Fernández.
Extremadura’s equalizer came in the 37th minute. A harsh penalty was given for hand ball by Galarreta, following a free kick. Gallego struck the penalty which Fernandez blocked to his right, but the rebound fell kindly to the same player who put the ball away to make the score 1-1. In the last move of the first half a cross-shot by De la Bella couldn’t find a yellows’ attacker on the end of it.
UD Las Palmas came out with the intention of making their superiority count. And they got their just reward within five minutes, with Maikel Mesa scoring to put his side 1-2 ahead. Extremadura continued to play their battling football, with long balls into the box hoping to make the most of a poor clearance and second phase possession. Then the sending off of Galarreta for a second yellow card offence made them even more determined.
Las Palmas held on solidly in the final stretch. Extremadura pushed forward with their extra man, but they couldn’t find a breakthrough. All balls floated into the box landed in the hands of Raúl Fernández. This was an important win for the Gran Canarian side, meaning they push up to second in the table as they look to face league leaders Málaga in their next home game.
