Las Palmas get back to winning ways with a goal-fest against the bottom team (5-2)
UD Las Palmas finally ended their terrible run by overcoming Osasuna with goals by Jesé (2), who finally got on the scoring sheet, Livaja, Unai with an own goal and Roque Mesa. The yellows turned the scores around after being behind at half time.
With Livaja back in the starting line-up, replacing Prince, who was to come off the bench towards the end, the home team wanted to carry on where they left off with their fine performance in the Bernabéu and pick up three points against Osasuna, the team at the bottom of the LaLiga Santander, and give the home fans something to cheer.
The game started as expected with the yellows dominating possession, with Osasuna playing deep and looking to get forward on the counter. Jesé was the first to get forward with a blistering burst of pace.
It was precisely a move by Viera with a trademark pass through to Jesé who finally scored his first goal for the yellows to make it 1-0 in the 7th minute. The forward celebrated wildly having missed a host of chances in previous games.
On the quarter hour mark Lemos tried to catch the away goalkeeper of his guard with a long range effort from a free kick, but to no avail. Once again the Uruguayan tried his luck from distance forcing the goalkeeper to stretch in the 16th minute. Setien’s team were in total control of the match against an Osasuna who started to play a more physical game.
In the 23ed minute Roque was cautioned, receiving his fifth yellow card of the season, and so will miss the next game against Espanyol. Prince was also cautioned from the bench, and so was Livaja.
In the 30th minute hesitation by the home defence let in Kodro to make the scores 1-1, following a catalogue of errors.
Jesé once again nearly put Las Palmas ahead in the 34th minute but his effort was well saved by the visiting goalkeeper.
Just two minutes later Kodro got in behind the defence to head his team into the lead past Javi Varas, an amazing turn around with the yellows suddenly losing concentration in a game they were dominating. Half time arrived with the scores 1-2.
Las Palmas started the second half up against it but with enough time to turn things around. However it was away defender Unai García who gifted Las Palmas their third goal to leave the match heavily in their favour.
These were tricky moments for the home team, they were forced to push forward in numbers without leaving things too open at the back. These were three vital points required to guarantee safety. Livaja dived in to head home a measured cross by Roque in the 55th minute, providing UD with a welcome equalizer at a complicated moment in the game.
David Simón nearly managed to score shortly after but his spectacular effort flew just over the bar defended by Sirigu. UD Las Palmas were back into their stride.
Prince came on for Tana for the last part of the game determined to put the game beyond the visitors’ reach. But it was Unai who scored a freak own goal to make the score 3-2. After this goal, Halilović replaced Livaja, who was given a rousing reception as he left the pitch.
Shortly after Roque added the fourth goal from a set piece move straight from the training ground, providing a great sense of relief. Jesé then rolled in the fifth goal to end a winless run of five games, while also giving his team a vital three points to further ensure safety for another year in the best league in the world.
