Villarreal 2 : 1 Getafe - Villarreal return to winning ways

Posted Monday, November 24, 2014 by PA

Villarreal brought a four-game winless streak in all competitions to an end by seeing off Getafe 2-1 at El Madrigal.

Despite making an unconvincing start to the game, the hosts took a commanding two-goal lead at half-time thanks to strikes in quick succession from Mario Gaspar and forward Gerard Moreno.

Mehdi Lacen's goal on the hour mark inspired a late charge from the visitors and Marcelino's side were left clinging on for victory in the final minutes, but they saw out the win to move within three points of the European places.

The Yellow Submarine had a total of six players missing for the game due to late injuries to Giovani dos Santos and Bruno Soriano and struggled to get into a rhythm, with Getafe creating a total of four chances inside the opening 20 minutes.

The best of those fell to Fredy Hinestroza and Karim Yoda, with the Colombian shooting into the side netting with just two minutes on the clock before Yoda then smashed the ball over the bar on a quick-fire counter-attack.

Villarreal started to get forward around the half-hour mark, with Denis Cheryshev skying an effort and then volleying into the hands of Getafe goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.

And with 38 minutes on the clock, the hosts took the lead. The goal originated from the pace and enterprise of Luciano Vietto, who raced on to a through ball, then held it up until he had a team-mate alongside him, slipping the ball into the path of Mario to slam high into the net.

Villarreal then went all-out in pursuit of a second before the break.

Moreno was put through by Moi Gomez but his initial shot was blocked. Fortunately for him Cheryshev was by his side and kept the attack alive, twisting past Getafe defenders before giving Moreno another stab at goal, and this time the youngster got full power on his shot, which bounced off a visiting defender and into the net.

The hosts nearly scored a third goal early in the second half when Getafe defender Naldo deflected a cross from the left just a few feet wide of the far post.

The pendulum then swung back in favour of the visitors on 61 minutes thanks to Lacen's low driven effort from the edge of the area, which nestled in the bottom corner.

Michel then went for goal from similar range but his shot had less venom and was saved by Sergio Asenjo.

The goalkeeper had to be alert again a few moments later to keep out a shot from Baba Diawara, and in injury time Michel went for goal but his shot bounced off Yoda and deflected wide of net.