Las Palmas put on a better show (1-1)

Las Palmas looked a different side on the pitch tonight, must more secure and convincing. In other words, they were like a totally different team. They ran and fought for every ball in a way they hadn’t done for a long time, looking to impress new manager Paco Jémez. It is no easy job to dominate a Valencia side with so many talented players, but the yellows looked like they meant business from the start. Apart from the odd moment, Chichizola had quite a peaceful evening.

Jemez's team worked hard to win the ball back on every occasion. In the anchoring role Aquilani and Samper moved the ball round with pace and common sense. In attack, Tana, Momo, Calleri and Jonathan Viera looked comfortable on the ball. Gálvez made his debut, coming into defence from Eibar.

The yellows’ goal came from a wonderful flowing move by all the forwards, and was scored by Calleri (33rd minute). A fine cross by youth team player Borja was turned into the net by the Argentinian forward as he got in ahead of Lato. The teams went in at half time with Las Palmas holding a deserved 1-0 lead.

In the second half Las Palmas continued to control the game, while Valencia became more ambitious in attack. Parejo came on, and Rubén Uría’s side began to improve when moving the ball around. Zarza missed an open goal in the 64th minute, hitting the ball wildly over the bar. Jémez strengthened his defence by replacing Aquilini with Javi Castellano, as Valencia started to push forward and looked a threat.

Valencia tried time and again to attack down the left side. In the move that led to the equalizer, David Simón was beaten and the cross was knocked in by Rodrigo to make the scores 1-1 in the 85th minute. The draw means that the tie will be decided next week on 9th January in the Mestalla stadium in Valencia. Las Palmas put on a good display tonight in Paco Jémez’s first match on the bench.