Rayo Vallecano 2 : 3 Elche - Jonathas stars in Elche win - 7M sport

Rayo Vallecano 2 : 3 Elche - Jonathas stars in Elche win



Posted Sunday, September 14, 2014 by PA

A goal and assist from Brazilian striker Jonathas de Jesus gave Elche their first win of the Primera Division season as Fran Escriba's side saw off Rayo Vallecano 3-2.

The visitors took the lead towards the end of the first half thanks to a stunning free-kick from captain Edu Albacar but Paco Jemez's side pulled level right before the break through an impressive effort from Chelsea loanee Gael Kakuta.

However, a superb solo goal from Jonathas restored Elche's lead and then the scorer turned provider to allow Pedro Mosquera to extend Elche's advantage, which was just as well for the visitors as Alberto Bueno converted a penalty in stoppage time.

Elche had snatched a late draw with Granada in their last game and made a cautious start in Vallecas.

While Rayo sought to dominate possession and create chances from open play, Elche's plan was to strike from set-pieces.

Damian Suarez came close to scoring straight from a corner but saw his cross punched clear by Cristian Alvarez, and then David Lomban headed another corner just wide of the near post.

But the visitors' best effort from a dead ball was still to come - Albacar curling a 30-yard free-kick over the wall and into the bottom corner of the net.

Despite going behind, Rayo stayed loyal to their style of play and were rewarded. Kakuta received the ball from Bueno on the left-hand side of the box and showed great speed and control to drag it back into the area and deliver a cutting low finish in at the near post.

But the visitors got themselves back in front 10 minutes into the second half thanks to a moment of brilliance from Jonathas. The striker received the ball on the halfway line and needed just three touches to burst past two Rayo defenders and drive the ball beyond Alvarez from outside the area.

Rayo should have levelled again 20 minutes into the second half, but Javier Aquino was unable to get on the end of Baptistao's pass while Elche's Polish goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton was stranded, and a glorious chance went to waste.

Rayo's hopes of getting back into the game were then sunk, as Mosquera's hopeful effort from outside the box took a nick off Raul Baena and landed in the far bottom corner.

Although the goal itself was somewhat fortuitous, it owed a lot to fine work from Jonathas, who fought to keep the ball in play and held it up while he waited for Mosquera to arrive.

A handball by Albacar allowed Bueno to cut the gap from the spot, but the opportunity had come far too late for Rayo, who slumped to their first defeat of the season.



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