Deportivo La Coruna 2 - 0 Osasuna: Deportivo down Osasuna to move four points clear of drop zone

Posted Monday, December 19, 2016 by PA

Deportivo La Coruna pulled four points clear of LaLiga's relegation zone with a 2-0 victory over rock-bottom Osasuna at the Estadio Riazor.

Florin Andone headed the home side in front before Ryan Babel nodded in a second just before the break to set Depor on course for the win, their fourth of the season with all of them coming at home.

It meant Osasuna's wretched run continued, with just one win in their first 16 games signalling what looks like an immediate return to the second tier.

Babel had the first effort of note, a rising drive which Osasuna goalkeeper Nauzet Perez did well to tip over the crossbar, but within a matter of seconds Depor had gone in front.

Emre Colak swung over a corner from the left and it was just too easy for Andone, who rose high at the near post to head it home.

The Romanian was ruled offside as he tucked home following a powerful run and cross from Babel in the 33rd minute.

Babel had an excellent first 45 minutes and was rewarded when Carles Gil advanced into the box down the right and stood the ball up to the far post for the former Liverpool man to head past Nauzet for his fourth league goal of the season.

A floodlight failure delayed the start of the second half, and Depor had a lucky escape when Sergio Leon slipped as he appeared poised to tuck in a cross from the right.

Spurred on by the near-miss, Colak turned away from Ivan Marquez after Gil had laid the ball off to him and unleashed a low left-foot shot which Nauzet got down to parry with 20 minutes left.