Villarreal 1 - 0 Hercules CF - Rossi effort proves decisive

Giuseppe Rossi struck the only goal of the game as Villarreal returned to winning ways with a hard-fought victory at home to Hercules in the Primera Division.

Villarreal had failed to win any of their previous four league matches and that negative run had left the Yellow Submarine in fourth place ahead of this game.

But Juan Carlos Garrido's side began this match with intent and Santi Cazorla curled wide from the edge of the area in the very first minute.

Rossi saw a shot blocked after seven minutes as the home team continued to dominate.

And they were rewarded after 21 minutes, when Cani fed Rossi and the Italy striker - who had looked offside when the ball was played - beat Hercules keeper Juan Calatayud with a neat, low finish.

Calatayud then saved well to deny Rossi a second 10 minutes before the break as Villarreal sought a two-goal lead.

The home side remained in control as the second half got underway and should have added to their lead late on.

Nilmar shot over the bar on the hour and Noe Pamarot blocked a dangerous Cazorla effort moments later.

Nilmar and substitute Marco Ruben also came close late on, but former France striker David Trezeguet was guilty of wasting two excellent opportunities at the other end as well.

In the end, the result was a fair one, though, and sees Villarreal consolidate fourth position as they moved 10 points clear of fifth-placed Espanyol.

Hercules, meanwhile, are now just a point clear of the relegation zone with 12 games remaining.