Villarreal 2 - 0 Sporting de Gijon: Cedric Bakambu at the double as Villarreal equal best first half of a season

Posted Sunday, January 10, 2016 by PA

Two goals from Cedric Bakambu fired Villarreal to a sixth successive Primera Division victory as they overcame struggling Sporting Gijon 2-0 at El Madrigal.

The Congolese forward tapped in a pass from Roberto Soldado to open the scoring on 26 minutes and made the most of another move by his strike partner to double the lead early in the second half, netting his eighth goal of the season.

Marcelino's side tighten their hold on fourth place after the win and have taken 39 points from the first half of the season, equalling their best ever points record for the first half of a campaign.

Sporting meanwhile slump to a fourth consecutive league loss and stay in the relegation zone, on 15 points.

The visitors came close to taking an early lead when Paraguayan striker Antonio Sanabria appeared at the far post to head a cross at goal, forcing Alphonse Areola to tip away for a corner.

The hosts soon asserted themselves though, with Bakambu their main threat. The forward had a penalty appeal turned down and headed over the bar before putting his side in front.

Captain Bruno Soriano recovered the ball in the final third and released Soldado, who then fed Bakambu for a simple finish.

Sporting refused to wilt but failed to trouble Areola again at the other end, and were killed off by a swift counter-attack.

Denis Suarez began the break and Manu Trigueros and Jonathan dos Santos helped the ball towards Soldado, who crossed for Bakambu to lash the ball at goal - it struck each post before finding the net.