To change means to substitute, modify, replace and transform. The word has many meanings, but UD Almería turned it into a concept and UD Almería head coach Xavier García Pimienta into a tool to rediscover victory against Cádiz CF.

A win built on a magnificent first half and outstanding performances from several players. Above them all was Cipenga, who dealt 3 superb assists like a true croupier in all 3 goals. Cádiz CF reacted after the break and added some late drama to the final 3-2 scoreline, but UD Almería ultimately held on for a deserved victory.

First half

Rather than simply shaking things up, Garcia Pimienta practically planted an entirely new team on the UD Almería Stadium pitch, making no fewer than 7 changes to his starting XI. And it worked immediately.

The team's aggression, both with and without the ball, was the foundation. Their courage and desire to bounce back provided everything else. From the opening whistle, UD Almería gave Cádiz CF absolutely no time to settle.

The first big chance came early and the opening goal followed almost immediately. In the 10th minute, Javi Muñoz was played through after some superb build-up play involving Quim and Dzódic, but saw his one-on-one effort saved by Ezqueita. A couple of minutes later, however, the Cádiz CF goalkeeper had no chance.

Javi Muñoz ripped the net with a left-footed strike to finish off a superb attacking move involving Lelo, Quim and Cipenga. It was 1-0 and the midfielder could hardly have asked for a better way to introduce himself to his new supporters.

The hosts refused to take their foot off the accelerator. In the 18th minute, Baptistão came close to adding a second after Cipenga on fire down the left wing produced another piece of trickery before the Brazilian's effort was kept out by the Cádiz CF keeper.

The guests equalised in what was the only real blemish on an otherwise outstanding first-half display from the hosts. Antoñito Cordero delivered a precise, powerful corner into the heart of the 6-yard box, where Castro produced an accurate header from close range to make it 1-1 in the 25th minute.

But UD Almería refused to let the setback linger. Cipenga was the remedy. The Congolese winger was at the heart of almost everything UD Almería created, his combination of feints and bursts of pace proving a nightmare for the Cadistas down the left. With 28 minutes on the clock, he came close himself with a powerful but central effort.

The relentless dribbler was also the architect of Miguel De la Fuente's goal for 2-1.Cipenga tracked back deep into his own half to win possession, burst forward at full speed and timed his pass perfectly to release his striker. Miguel did the rest, finding the back of the net within 35 minute to restore UD Almería's lead.

Baptistão had already come close earlier in the match. This time, the Brazilian captain made no mistake. In another demonstration of his intelligent movement inside the penalty area, Baptistão made it 3-1 following a neat combination involving Javi Muñoz and once again Cipenga.

The winger had completed a remarkable hat-trick of assists in record time and was unquestionably one of the standout performers of the afternoon. Just as they had done in their opening match of the season, UD Almería headed into the break with 3 goals to their name and with the feeling that their advantage could easily have been even greater.

Second half

Celades looked for a response and made 3 changes that altered the complexion of his side. Cádiz CF enjoyed far more possession than they had in the first half and shared the initiative in a second period that produced few clear-cut chances.

A fine defensive intervention from Álex Muñoz in the 72nd minute prevented a close-range effort, while Andrés Fernández later turned a Vázquez cross-shot behind for a corner during the closing stages.

Pimienta's men, increasingly tired and forced deeper into their own half, carried less attacking threat and allowed the visitors more of the ball. Even so, there was little genuine sense that the rivals were close to mounting a serious comeback.

The final twist came in the dying moments. A cruel stroke of misfortune resulted in Chirino scoring an own goal to make it 3-2, but the late goal proved nothing more than a footnote at the UD Almería Stadium.

September, traditionally the month for putting unfinished business right, has begun with UD Almería leaving their previous two disappointments away from home behind them.

When you put in the hard work, the results eventually follow. And today, UD Almería did not sit an exam. They simply turned up to collect their grade.