Villarreal 2 : 0 Rayo Vallecano - Yellow Submarine sink Rayo

Posted Saturday, October 29, 2011 by PA

Villarreal moved out of the Primera Division relegation zone with a much-needed 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano.

Bruno Soriano and Borja Valero scored either side of half-time, whilst Marcos Senna also had a first-half penalty saved.

Piti should have brought Rayo back into the game but shot wide moments after the second goal and the Madrid side had goalkeeper David Cobeno to thank for keeping the score down as he saved brilliantly from Hernan Perez in the final stages.

Pressure had been mounting on Villarreal manager Juan Carlos Garrido before the game with speculation suggesting he would be replaced should they fail to win the game.

However, in the first period the Yellow Submarine team certainly seemed to be playing for their manager as they largely controlled proceedings.

The opener came on 20 minutes as Borja's free-kick found the unmarked Bruno and the Spaniard made no mistake with a solid header past Cobeno.

The goal brought Rayo out of their shell slightly but also made them more susceptible to the Villarreal counter-attack and they were caught out when Javi Fuego brought down Jonathan de Guzman inside the area seven minutes before half-time.

However, Cobeno flew to his right to parry Senna's well-struck spot kick.

The second period did not start well for the hosts as their only fit striker Marco Ruben had to be replaced by Perez due to a thigh injury.

Borja then gave Villarreal the breathing space they craved as he waltzed through the Rayo midfield and struck and precise left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

Again Rayo responded well to conceding and Michu had a long-range shot parried by Diego Lopez before Piti had the visitors' best chance of the match but shot across Lopez and beyond the far post when clean through on goal.

Perez should have wrapped the game up with a third goal but Cobeno flicked the ball away from the Paraguayan as he tried to round him.