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Huesca earned their third ever top flight victory with a brilliant performance at home to Real Valladolid in the opening fixture of Week 22 in La Liga Santander.
Francisco Rodriguez's team came into this game off the back keeping their first clean sheet of the season in a nil-nil draw at Real Sociedad last week. The 40 year old Huesca coach called his game a "final" for his players, and they responded with an outstanding performance that breathes genuine optimism into a season that has so far proved incredibly challenging. Francisco's only alteration to his starting XI was new signing Javi Galan in for Carlos Akapo at left wing back. The system was 3-5-2.
The two most encouraging elements for Huesca are a) their improved defensive solidity, and b) the impact of their January signings. Tonight Yangel Herrera, Enric Gallego and Galan were all extremely impressive.
These two teams were the division's lowest goal-scorers ahead of kick off but despite that, the game got off to a frantic start. Ruben Alcaraz (for Valladolid) and Gallego (for Huesca) both had good headed chances saved inside the opening six minutes.
Valladolid were plaing 4-4-2. The only change from their XI that started in the win against Celta de Vigo a week ago was 38 year old Borja Fernandez in for midfielder Michel, who was suspended.
After 11 minutes Oscar Plano headed an Antonito cross at goal, but Santamaria again made the save.
Eight minutes later Huesca produced a goal of stunning quality, with Jorge Pulido turning defense into attack quite brilliantly. His control (inside his own penalty area) was impeccable, and he then went long towards Cucho Hernandez, who's glanced header was perfect for Gallego. The former Extremadura striker was swiftly onto it, getting to the ball ahead of Fernando Calero, and calmly finishing beyond Jordi Masip after striding purposefully towards goal. This was Huesca's first goal in five hours of top flight action.
Gallego had another half chance before half time, and Herrera shot at goal. Valladolid, after their two early chances, created less and less with Huesca's back three of Pulido, Pablo Insua and Xabier Exteita looking inspired and possessed.
Five minutes after half time Herrera won a corner for the hosts and Moi Gomez delivered it beautifully to Pulido who arced his header perfectly beyond Masip. Centre back Kiko Olivas was marking Pulido but was helpless. The hosts led my two, and within three minutes would score again.
Herrera won possession and found Hernandez. The Colombian teenager was tenacious in the Valladolid penalty area and his efforts created a chance for Gomez who side-footed his finish calmly in. For the first time, Huesca had scored more than two goals in a top flight match. The Alcoraz was rocking, and Valladolid looked shell shocked.
Huesca's 3-5-2 is clearly working well with the centre backs playing with such bravery, experience and strength. The wing backs have great fitness to get forward but defensively are very dutiful. In the midfield Herrera has brought so much class. He's a huge upgrade compared to Damian Musto and his influence this season could be massive. Then in attack the chemistry between Hernandez and Gallego is nothing short of extraordinary. They link up so frequently, which is a joy to witness.
Valladolid thought they'd pulled a goal back with 15 minutes remaining but Oscar Plano's strike was disallowed by VAR as he was offside.
Two minutes later, and just seconds after replacing Hernandez, substitute Chimy Avila latched onto a fabulous pass from Galan and slid his finish under Masip. Huesca led by four. Avila had broken his 18-match goal-less streak and suddenly Huesca weren't the division's lowest scorers (Leganes have 20 goals at the time of writing, Huesca have 21). After five hours without a goal, they'd hit four in 58 minutes.
There would be no further scoring: This 4-0 win is the biggest in Francisco's 66 matches as a top flight coach.
The only down sides for Huesca were the yellow cards for Pulido and Hernandez which will rule them out of the game at Girona next week. Aside from that, this was a truly moral boosting win. Francisco kept Almeria up in the 2013/14 season despite gaining just six points from his first 11 games - Huesca also won six points from their first 11 games since the change of coach in October.
Valladolid have now won just 2 of their last 13 matches, and haven't kept a clean sheet in 10 games. One positive was the performance of new signing Pablo Hervias (on loan from Eibar) who looked bright for the final 25 minutes (on as a substitute). Unfortunately for Sergio Gonzalez, Defender Calero will miss the game against Villarreal next week, as he picked up his fifth caution of the campaign. Valladolid are currently just four points above safety.
Images from Mundo Deportivo and Heraldo
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