Villarreal pick up a vital victory at Anoeta thanks to a Gerard Moreno goal in the final minutes
Three crucial points at Anoeta! Villarreal came away with a hugely important win against Real Sociedad (0-1) thanks to a magnificent headed-goal by Gerard Moreno late on from a pinpoint cross into the box by who other than Santi Cazorla, the Yellows legend really led the Submarine to victory in San Sebastian. With this win, Javi Calleja has won three games back to back in LaLiga and with 39 points, sees his side take a gigantic step forwards in the fight to stay in the top flight.
Javi Calleja backed the eleven that won the Yellows’ last league match against CD Leganés (2-1) to do the job again. Andrés Fernández in goal, Mario Gaspar, Álvaro, Funes Mori and youngster Quintillà at the back, while Samu Chukwueze and Toko Ekambi started out on the wings, Pablo Fornals in the hole and Carlos Bacca up top.
In the opening minutes, Villarreal came out fighting, showing their courage and were well organised, pushing forward into Real’s half. Nevertheless, the Yellows’ dominance did not result in any clear chances. Real Sociedad did not create anything either. Despite the high level of play by both sides, the first half did not see any clear-cut goal scoring opportunities for either team.
What stood out most from the first 45 minutes of play was Santi Cazorla’s performance, who could once again be seen to pull the strings in the Submarine’s midfield. The home side also showed what they had, looking to get down the flanks and find Willian José with crosses into the box, but the Submarine’s back line held strong.
After the break, Javi Calleja made some changes. He brought Gerard Moreno on for Carlos Bacca. The first chance of the second half fell to Real Sociedad. In the 55th minute, Andrés Fernández reacted quickly to get down and save a Mikel Oyarzabal shot. Two minutes later Villarreal bit back. Samu Chukwueze tested Rulli with a shot across goal from outside the box, but the Argentinean keeper was equal to it.
Five minutes from the end, Villarreal were going for it and seemed to be tireless, turning what had been a very even game in their favour. Santi Cazorla showed how two-footed he really is with a sublime cross into the box and Gerard Moreno got on the end of it, powering his header past Rulli to put the Yellows in front.
In the 88th minute, the Submarine could have sentenced the game. Fornals almost beat Rulli with a shot from the heart of the box, after a great assist by Pedraza on a counterattack.
At the blow of the final whistle, Villarreal CF sealed a vital victory at Anoeta and are up to 39 points in the table and much closer to the all-important objective of staying up. Villarreal’s next match is this Sunday against SD Huesca at 6:30pm CEST at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
LINEUPS:
Real Sociedad: Rulli; Zaldúa, Elustondo, Raúl Navas (Le Normand, m. 77), Aihen Muñoz (Theo, m. 74); Sangalli, Merino, Pardo (Ander, m. 72), Oyarzabal; Juanmi and Willian José.
Villarreal CF: Andrés Fdez., Mario Gaspar, Álvaro, Funes Mori, Quintillà; Chukwueze (S. Cáseres, m. 82), Iborra, S. Cazorla, P. Fornals, Toko Ekambi (Pedraza, m. 72); and Bacca (Gerard, m. 45).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 84: Gerard.
Referee: Munuera Montero. Booked: Raúl Navas and Oyarzabal for Real Sociedad; Funes Mori, Toko Ekambi and Iborra for Villarreal.
Information: Match between Real Sociedad and Villarreal CF on LaLiga Matchday 34 of the 2018/19 season played at Anoeta in front of 20,060 spectators.
