Las Palmas lose their way and go down to another home defeat (2-5)

UD Las Palmas manager Pako Ayestarán made his home debut at the Estadio Gran Canaria with a heavy defeat. The yellows started brightly against a compact Celta de Vigo side that waited for the chance to try out the pace of Pione Sisto and Iago Aspas, the man of the match. The early goals by the team from Galicia pinned the home team down, and they had no answer to their negative run. The direct style of Celta together with the home team’s lack of confidence led to this heavy home defeat (2-5).

The starting line-up for Las Palmas featured the pairing of central defenders David García and Pedro Bigas. Youth player Borja Herrera got the nod from his Basque manager and took his place on the left wing following his fine performance in the Camp Nou. The team, however did not function as his trainer wanted and went into a depression every time the away team approached their area.

Celta’s first goal came just as Las Palmas were beginning to control proceedings. Both Bigas and Jonathan Viera had fired warning shots from a distance. The home team’s football looked promising, but a ball played through to Emre Mor ended up in Chichizola’s net (min. 16). Celta grew in confidence and just three minutes later scored their second, the work of Spanish international Iago Aspas. Half time was reached with Celta comfortably ahead, as they had made the most of their two chances to back up their patient football.

For the start of the second half, Ayestarán looked to boost his team’s attacking threat with his first substitution, Remy coming on for Momo. Celta came out with the intention of killing off the game. Aspas poured forward and his shot was blocked by Chichizola. His next chance came and he made no mistake, scoring his team’s third (min. 48). The sending off of away goalkeeper Rubén Blanco for a straight red card in the 52nd minute, opened a window of opportunity to get something out of the game. However, Unzué’s side kept plugging away, and the game kept its pattern, as his team managed their fourth goal of the night in the 71st minute, this time with a shot from outside the box by Pablo Hernández. Iago Aspas rounded off his fine performance with his team’s fifth, and his own third, goal. Late goals by Vitolo, on his return to the team, in the 90th minute, and Remy, in time added on, only served to add some respect to the scoreline. Another home defeat for the yellows at their Estadio Gran Canaria, leaving them in relegation places.