Las Palmas have to settle for a draw in a game they easily deserved to win (1-1)

Las Palmas came out all guns firing, passing the ball around from wing to wing. They showed the right attitude, style, speed and correct execution of each move. Deportivo de La Coruña were contento to hold back and try to intercept any through ball, but they were overwhelmed by the home team’s avalanche. Marko Livaja began the match once more as centre forward. Jonathan Viera was in the stands because of the manager’s decision, while Boateng was out through suspension. Pedro Bigas David García were injured, meaning the home team had a depleted line-up. The first chance of the match came in the 5th minute with a great shot by Livaja that Tyton stretched to tip over the bar. 

The two teams facing each other tonight in the final game of the first half of the league campaign were very similar in style; the yellows hadn’t tasted defeat at home so far this term, while Depor hadn’t managed a single victory away from Riazor. Las Palmas’ domination came to fruition in the 13th minute with Mateo García’s goal, who week by week is growing in confidence and effort. The ball rebounded off a Deportivo defender and bounced up into the top corner of the net.

The goal spurred Las Palmas on even more, as they continued to apply pressure to the away team, while cancelling out a team that was clearly short on ideas, and unsure of how to bring the ball forward. Good positioning by Montoro in midfield, releasing Vicente Gómez and Roque Mesa, the mobility of Livaja, the attacking threat of Mateo García, and the dribbling skills of Momo, made all the difference between the two teams. In the first half Deportivo were so basic that the yellows didn’t come under threat one single time. As long as the ball was at the feet of Roque Mesa, Las Palmas were able to move the ball around comfortably. Setien’s men began to put their foot down and UD Las Palmas got ever closer to a second goal. Half time arrived with a flattering 1-0 scoreline for the away team.

Las Palmas took control of the game once more in the second half. Their rivals created nothing, as if happy to sit back and not concede more goals. The ball was constantly in Deportivo’s half. It seemed that everything was going right for the home team, as they dominated the play completely. From set pieces Depor seemed to awake from their slumber. However, the home team’s defence was able to cope easily with the aerial balls that came their way.  

Suddenly Deportivo produced and equalizer from the most simple of football moves. A long ball forward, a player running on who got past his defender and the ball was in the net, by Florin Andone (min. 70). Javi Varas was unable to do anything with the left foot rocket by the Rumanian international. The game then turned upside down. Things were made worse by a second yellow card and sending off of central defender Aythami Artiles. Las Palmas played the final quarter of an hour with a player less. The away team pushed forward until the end. Las Palmas went for broke with Nabil El Zhar and debutee Benito but the game came to an end with no further goals. The first half of the season ends with Las Palmas on 25 points and not having lost in the Estadio Gran Canaria in the league.