Celta Vigo 2 : 1 Deportivo La Coruna - Celta remain unbeaten

Posted Wednesday, September 24, 2014 by PA

Celta Vigo stretched their unbeaten start to the season to five games as they claimed all three points from a 2-1 victory over Deportivo La Coruna in Tuesday night's Galician derby at Balaidos.

Nolito handed them an early lead before Isaac Cuenca struck back after the break but Joaquin Larrivey netted the winner with 20 minutes left as Celta moved up thee spots into fifth in the Primera Division standings.

Haris Medunjanin missed the chance to bag a late point for Depor but he missed with his penalty attempt as his side remain 13th in the table.

The home side started well and Nolito handed them the lead with their first chance of the game just three minutes in.

Larrivey picked out the 27-year-old striker with a cross from the left and Nolito made no mistake as he sent the ball into the bottom left of the Depor net from 12 yards out for his third goal of the season.

Celta came close to doubling their score through Alex Lopez after 10 minutes, but his long-range effort sailed over the crossbar.

Midway through the first half, Chile winger Fabian Orellana could have got on the scoresheet had his free-kick from the left hit the target, while down at the other end the away side looked like they were beginning to make some inroads.

Medunjanin had a good chance to level the scores 10 minutes before the break, but Sergio was on hand to hold out the Bosnia midfielder's corner before his next effort was cleared by Gustavo Cabral.

The visitors began the second half still searching for a goal and Helder Postiga came close to getting it five minutes in, forcing Sergio into action again as the Celta keeper saved the Portugal international's shot.

And their pressure paid off after 55 minutes as Cuenca collected Juanfran's cross from the right wing and tucked the ball into the bottom left of the Celta goal for the equaliser.

The hosts tried to fight their way back into the game and Nolito turned provider after 72 minutes as he sent the ball into the box for Larrivey, whose close-range header put them ahead for the second time.

Medunjanin could have rescued a point for Depor with two minutes remaining after Gustavo Cabral appeared to handle the ball in the box, but Sergio punched away his powerful effort as Celta held on for the win.