Villarreal 3 : 1 Granada CF - Villarreal grind out important win

Villarreal were made to work hard for a vital 3-1 win over fellow Primera Division strugglers Granada.

Marco Ruben's 16th-minute strike gave the home side a half-time lead against the run of play, but Inigo Lopez levelled with a header five minutes after half-time.

Borja Valero restored Villarreal's lead, though before Granada goalkeeper Julio Cesar diverted Joan Oriol's cross into his own goal to end his side's hopes of a comeback.

Granada twice went close in the early stages, Mikel Rico and Jude Ighalo heading wide in a lively start for the visitors.

But they fell behind when Ruben Cani played in Ruben, whose angled strike found the top corner of the net.

The away side continued to press and Mikel Rico was off target from long range before Inigo Lopez headed against the post, with Ighalo offside from the rebound.

Home keeper Diego Lopez fielded Carlos Martins' 25-yard drive before Nilmar threatened at the other end, but his shot was parried by Julio Cesar.

Ighalo shot wide from six yards early in the second period before Villarreal threatened, Borja Valero drawing a save from Julio Cesar.

The equaliser came two minutes later, Inigo Lopez meeting Carlos Martins' corner with a downward header from 12 yards which beat Diego Lopez.

The home keeper had to be alert on the hour when he scrambled back to turn Mikel Rico's audacious free-kick around the post, before holding Daniel Benitez's drive moments later.

Villarreal were ahead once more in the 64th minute when Borja latched onto Javier Camunas' pass and produced a near replica of team-mate Ruben's earlier finish.

They took control from that point and immediately went in search of a third, Camunas stinging the keeper's palms before Gonzalo Castellani shot over.

In the end, the goal came in curious circumstances when Oriol crossed and Julio Cesar dived out of his goal, only to punch the ball behind him and into the net.

Castellani curled an effort over the bar from 20 yards and Hernan Perez was denied by Julio Cesar in stoppage time.