Villarreal 2 : 1 Getafe - Villarreal fight back to win

Posted Sunday, May 01, 2011 by PA

Villarreal bounced back from their midweek Europa League nightmare to defeat struggling Getafe 2-1 and claim a much-needed victory in their quest for a top-four finish.

Three days after losing the first leg of their European semi-final to Porto 5-1, stuttering Villarreal - who had won just three of their previous 12 league games, losing six - looked set for more misery as they trailed 1-0 to a stunning Pedro Rios strike at half-time.

However, the Yellow Submarine got themselves back on terms in the 61st minute through Cani and record goalscorer Giuseppe Rossi headed in the winner in the 74th minute.

The victory sees fourth-placed Villarreal extend their advantage over the chasing pack to eight points.

For Getafe, the defeat leaves them deep in trouble at the foot of the standings, having lost five of their last six matches and with only two wins in 18 league games in 2011.

Getafe, who finished sixth last season, started the weekend just two points above the drop zone but they did not look the relegation-haunted team as they put their hosts under plenty of pressure in the first half.

Visiting defender Miguel Torres saw a long-range shot saved by Diego Lopez, who also made a diving parry to keep out Rafa Lopez's shot in the 24th minute, with Dani Parejo firing the rebound over.

Getafe striker Miku then beat Kiko to a through-ball but, with only Lopez to beat, he was denied by the Spain international's legs.

Lopez was left powerless four minutes later though as Getafe took the lead with a brilliant goal from Rios, who cut inside onto his left foot before smashing a 25-yard shot into the top corner of the net.

That was enough to give Getafe the half-time lead, although Villarreal playmaker Borja Valero came close to an equaliser with a good effort that brought an equally good save out of Oscar Ustari.

Things were looking bad for Villarreal at the break, but they will have known from bitter experience how things can turn around inside 45 minutes. They also led at half-time against Porto on Thursday only to ship five goals after the break.

Juan Carlos Garrido's men went on the attack almost from the restart and Santi Cazorla was denied by a fine one-handed save from Ustari in the 50th minute before Villarreal drew level on the hour following a quickly-taken free-kick.

While Getafe were still lining up their wall to defend a 25-yard free-kick, Cazorla rolled the ball inside to Cani, who drilled a low shot into the corner of the net.

Cazorla and Rossi then went close as Villarreal sought a second, which duly arrived with 16 minutes left.

Substitute Marco Ruben cut back inside a sliding defender before dinking in a cross which the diving Rossi headed past Ustari.

Getafe piled men forward late on in a bid to snatch an equaliser, but they could find no way past Lopez and Villarreal held on for a potentially key win.