UD Las Palmas went down today against a strong Sevilla side. The Spanish Cup finalists came away with the three points from the Estadio Gran Canaria. Montela’s side stuck to their ploy of counter attacks, and overcome the yellows at certain moments of the game. A goal by Gálvez was disallowed with the last kick, which meant controversy at the end of a match in which Sevilla managed to hold on to the three points. Sevilla very nearly went ahead with the very first attack of the match. David García stepped in with a block with his right leg with Chichizola beaten, to keep out an effort by the unmarked Ben Yedder. Both sides looked comfortable on the break. There were few changes to the Las Palmas line-up, except on the wings with Jairo and Nacho Gil. David García occupied the centre of defence alongside Gálvez, as Pedro Bigas was ruled out through injury, and Ximo Navarro was out due to his ban. Sevilla are a more physical team than Las Palmas and in the fifty-fifty challenges their players usually came out on top. Balls through the back of the home defence was their constant ploy. They were trying to make the most of the pace of front men Correa, Navas and Sarabia. Las Palmas struggled to keep possession against a very quick rival and over-elaborated somewhat when going forward. Eteba and Jonathan Viera did not show and this began to take its toll in the home team’s play. The 0-1 came in the 35th minute. Sevilla have individually gifted players and that made the difference today. A tricky dribble by Sarabia was enough to upset the home defence. Ben Yedder made the most of a rebound off Chichizola to put the away side ahead. Peñalba went off injured to be replaced by Ezekiel before half time. Montela also brought on Gran Canaria-born Sandro in place of Correa. Sevilla went in at half time a goal up and player the better football. Las Palmas started much brightly in the second half, and it was a real setback when they suddenly went 0-2 down in the first ball that reached Chichizola’s area. Pablo Sarabia took advantage of another cross from the left to sweep the ball home. The game opened up as Sevilla looked to ram home their advantage. Chichizola did well to keep out an effort by Nzonzi and avoid his team going three down. Gálvez came close with a free kick, and a header soon after by Calleri threatened the goal defended by Sergio Rico, but the Spanish Cup finalists were not to be denied and set up their defence to cause as many interruptions as possible. Ten minutes before the end Halilovic forced a penalty that Jonathan Calleri stroked home to make it 1-2. Then in the final move of the match, with time up, the referee disallowed a goal by Gálvez supposedly for offside. There was no more time after that.
