Villarreal 0 - 1 Las Palmas: David Garcia goal helps Las Palmas shock Villarreal

Posted Sunday, March 06, 2016 by PA

Las Palmas took another step towards Primera Division survival by unexpectedly beating Champions League hopefuls Villarreal 1-0 to record a third consecutive victory.

Captain David Garcia gave the visitors a deserved lead on the half-hour mark, becoming the first player to score against Villarreal goalkeeper Alphonse Areola in the league for 620 minutes.

Quique Setien's side produced an equally solid display after the break to secure another win after beating Eibar and Getafe in their previous outings and move on to 30 points to strengthen their bid to stay up.

Villarreal meanwhile slip seven points behind third-placed Real Madrid but are still in pole position to claim fourth spot.

The visitors pressed their opponents admirably from the off and gave Villarreal plenty of problems on the break, although the hosts missed a couple of chances to take the lead, the best falling to Roberto Soldado, who narrowly missed the target with an attempted chip.

Garcia put Las Palmas in front by heading home Jonathan Viera's cross following a short corner routine. Viera then wasted a great chance to double the lead before the break, and Willian Jose missed from a header.

Substitute Cedric Bakambu offered Villarreal more of a threat after the break but the Congolese forward missed two chances to level.

Sergio Araujo could have sewn up the points for Las Palmas but shot just wide of the far post, and his goalkeeper Javi Varas denied Villarreal a late equaliser, diving to tip away Denis Suarez's effort.