Las Palmas slips up in Balaídos (3-1)

Las Palmas did not look the part in Balaídos and went in at half time two goals behind. Celta de Vigo played their typical quick attacking game, cancelled out the Gran Canarian team with an electrifying performance with surging attacks down the wings. Jozabed sent in a first warning shot that crashed off the bar in the 9th minute. Three minutes later, a mistake at the back by Pedro Bigas was taken full advantage of by Rossi to put the home team 1-0 ahead. In the first 20 minutes the home team created enough chances to really embarrass the Canary team. Wass hit a free kick against the crossbar in the 19th minute. Then Aspas appeared, the most dangerous attacker for Celta, nearly making the score 2-0 with an effort that Lizoain was able to turn narrowly past the post .

When Las Palmas looked like they were coming back into the game the referee disallowed a perfectly legal goal by David Simón (min. 32) following a superb pass by Jonathan Viera. Rossi had another chance following a surge down the wing by Aspas, and scored his team’s second goal following a diving reaction save by Raúl Lizoain. Celta were now leaving gaps at the back and the yellows looked to get back into the game. Vicente Gómez struck the crossbar just before the end of the half (min. 41), although it was Celta who were comfortably in the driving seat.

In the second half, Celta carried on from where they left of. Iago Aspas was the leader of a team who made the game a formality on the counter attack with a third goal in the 56th minute, following another fine finish by Rossi with a cross shot. Las Palmas had half an hour in which to try to reduce the arrears, and to put some kind of moves together. The odd flash of skill by Jesé, who nearly caught Sergio out with a cross-shot, was not enough to wake up the yellows. On 66 minutes Setién brought on Livaja and Michel Macedo with his mind already on his team’s next match against Éibar. Celta had a couple more chances through Sisto, but the Danish player was not clear cut in front of goal. 

Pedro Bigas (min. 79) reduced arrears after Berizzo had already taken his most reliable attacking players off the pitch, namely Rossi y Aspas. In the last few minutes the Canary team laid seige on the home goal. With five minutes to go Jonathan Viera popped up in a scramble and nearly made the home team sweat for victory, but his effort went wide. At the end, including a scuffle between players, the scoreline finished 3-1 to the sky blues and further diminished any chance Las Palmas had to qualify for a European spot next season.