1-2: Almería clinch a historic victory to move up to third place
The Rojiblancos record their best ever winning streak and sit just one point off the summit. Corpas scored either side of the break
UD Almería moved up to third place within LaLiga SmartBank after clinching a historic victory over Real Oviedo. The Rojiblancos, who enjoyed their sixth consecutive success, broke the club record -so far held in the two seasons of promotion to the top flight- courtesy of top scorer José Corpas’ brace (1-2). Almeria sit one point off the summit and automatic promotion and three from the leadership with one postponed game still to be played.
José Gomes continued to make rotation within the starting line-up apart from Jorge Cuenca who was again in action from the start. Thus, Makaridze; Balliu, Maras, Akieme, Morlanes, Samú Costa, Aketxe, Corpas, Villalba and Umar Sadiq joined forces along with the aforementioned central defender.
The teams seemed to be evenly-matched in the first minutes, but it would not take long for Almería to assume increasing dominance. In fact, with a quarter of an hour gone, Umar Sadiq had already warned with a shot. At full stretch Femenías’ finger tips denied the striker. That action would be the precedent prior to opening the scoring, since the play in which Almeria made it 0-1 was very alike; the Nigerian Sadiq latched onto the end of a deep cross, which brought about one more penalty awarded to UD Almería. It was the 27th minute when José Corpas was in charge of converting with a thumping goal from the spot. The rest of the first half saw the visiting team not letting Oviedo snatch an equaliser before the break.
Real Oviedo walked on the pitch more active and agile in their offensive game after the restart of the game. The hosts were involved in a cagey second half when José Corpas was too close to double the lead by booting the ball, although the keeper from the Asturias-based side spoiled his shot.
Yes, the home team chased the equaliser and found it just one minute later. The ball reached opponent Blanco Leschuk, after a rebound, and the Argentinian centre-forward equalised. José Gomes reacted by introducing Lazo and João Carvalho and Villalba and Aketxe getting benched.
Almería took the initiative again. The Rojiblancos were moving up front until, José Corpas welcomed a pass between the lines with a clinical finish to the far post on 78 minutes. The player of the match broke the deadlock (1-2).
Yeah! Almeria rock! Not only it has been 10 matchdays without being defeated but this victory also makes it six times winning back-to-back games, breaking the club record. Right now, Almeria are sitting comfortably at the top of the table, one point away from automatic promotion and three from leading with one rescheduled fixture ahead.