Villarreal slump to 1-0 defeat at battling Getafe

Posted Sunday, December 12, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

MADRID, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Villarreal squandered the chance to move within two points of second-placed Real Madrid when they leaked a late goal to lose 1-0 at Getafe in La Liga on Saturday despite having an extra man for the whole of second half.

Missing suspended Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi, Villarreal lacked their usual bite in attack and substitute Juan Albin snatched a winner for Getafe in the 89th minute after their defender Daniel Diaz had been sent off just before halftime.

Uruguayan midfielder Albin, whose low shot squirmed just inside the post, was also dismissed as he celebrated the goal by removing his shirt and was shown a second yellow card.

Watched by Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, the two sides cancelled each other out in the first period before Getafe were rocked by the dismissal of Diaz in the 41st minute.

The referee brandished a straight red card at the Argentine defender after he cut down Villarreal’s pacy Brazilian striker Nilmar in full flight.

The numerical advantage immediately lifted the visitors. Nilmar burst clear moments before the break but his low shot was well saved by Jordi Codina’s outstretched leg.

Villarreal’s Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla and former international Marcos Senna saw plenty of the ball but were unable to unlock a determined home defence and Francisco Casquero’s clever header set up Albin to snatch the win.

Villarreal have 30 points from 15 matches, two ahead of fourth-placed Espanyol, who visit Athletic Bilbao on Sunday (1600 GMT).

Real, on 35 points, can climb above Barcelona (37) and top the standings at least for a few hours on Sunday with a win at bottom side Real Zaragoza (1800) before the champions host promoted Real Sociedad in the late kickoff (2000).

Sevilla, who have slipped to 10th after losing their last three games, host lowly Almeria later on Saturday (1900).

Atletico Madrid, who have been struggling lately, entertain improving Deportivo Coruna in the late kickoff (2100).