Elche have made their best ever start to a top flight season after beating Valencia at home in the Friday night fixture of Week 7 in La Liga Santander. Jorge Almiron's side scored twice before half time, and held on in the second period to win 2-1 and move on to 10 points from five matches.
Line Ups
Jorge Almiron dropped Dani Calvo, Juan Sanchez Mino and Tete Morente to the bench and started Josema Sanchez (returning from injury), Emiliano Rigoni (his first start for the club) and Colombian Jeison Lucumi (his Elche and La Liga debut).
Javi Gracia was without top goalscorer Maxi Gomez so Kevin Gameiro began. Toni Lato was given his first start of the season with Alex Blanco dropping to the bench.
First Half
In the first half Elche had two shots and scored twice. The first goal came on 19 minutes: Jose Luis Gaya allowed Josan Fernandez to cut in from the right and fire a superb, curling shot beyond Jaume Domenech.
Josan then provided the assist for Fidel Chaves to side foot home the second, eight minutes before the break. Gabriel Paulista's careless pass was seized upon by Elche's energetic press in the build up.
Valencia had no shots and no touches in the Elche penalty area before half time.
Second Half
Valencia did improve in the second period but could not mount a successful comeback. On 52 minutes Gaya's header was well kept out by Edgar Badia who also made saves from Carlos Soler and Paulista. Thierry Correia fired into the side netting before the visitors eventually broke through when substitute Kang In Lee's exquisite pass was well finished by Lato.
Two minutes later substitute Manu Vallejo had an effort cleared off the line by Gonzalo Verdu, after which Elche held on comfortably for their first win at home this season.
Summary
Elche's formation (5-2-3) is fluid and effective and they play with a lot of confidence in possession, and good shape defensively. They move up to fifth with this result, and are making superb progress after winning the Play Off Final two months ago.
Whilst Elche are now unbeaten in four games, Valencia have lost three consecutive matches. A first defeat against Elche since 2013 means they are three points behind the Franjiverdes having played two games more.
Images from Mundo Deportivo and AS
Comments
Post a Comment