The Catalan striker scores his first senior hat-trick, leading Villarreal to an impressive victory over Granada
Simply spectacular! Villarreal beat Granada (0-3) in an impressive performance by the Yellows. Gerard Moreno scored the game’s three goals, leading Unai Emery’s side to a big win at the Nuevo Estadio Los Cármenes.
The Submarine started the game full of determination, fully conscious of the importance of the game against a Granada CF side who have similar aims in LaLiga to the Yellows. Emery lined up with a familiar starting XI, with the most noticeable thing being Rubén Peña starting on the right wing, with Mario Gaspar lining up behind him at right-back.
Before the ten-minute mark, Villarreal were already ahead on the scoreboard. Granada defender Vïctor Díaz handled the ball after Peña put the ball into the box, looking for Pau Torres. The unstoppable Gerard stepped up, and there was no doubt that he would trick Rui Silva, and sent the ball in to the back of net, with a shot that showed off his quality.
Emery’s Villarreal were irresistible at the Nuevo Los Cármenes. In the 18th minute, an impressive Gerard scored the Yellows’ second. The Catalan striker scored a goal that was simply fantastic. He received a great pass from Manu Trigueros, and with a majestic flick with his heel, the No.7 left the opposition defender on the floor, and beat Rui Silva with a lovely chip.
The Yellows were excellent in the first half, dominating the game and being undoubtedly the better team. After a complete first half, it was 0-2 at the break.
After the interval, the Yellows nearly scored the third goal straight away. Gerard hit the post with a header after a fantastic Alfonso Pedraza cross. Only five minutes later, it was Trigueros who went close, with his shot in the box being deflected off-target, warning Granada that Villarreal were close to getting another.
In the 60th minute, Granada conceded another penalty. This time, it was Rui Silva who brought down Trigueros in the box. Gerard scored his hat-trick from the spot. His first as a professional footballer. Only Carlos Bacca, Cédric Bakambu, Diego Forlán, Juan Román Riquelme, Ikechukwu Uche, Joseba Llorente had previously done that for the Yellows.
Ten minutes from full-time, Jorge Molina sent the penalty’s third penalty over the bar. It was the first spot-kick for the home side of the game, which was awarded after a foul by Étienne Capoue on the striker.
When it seemed like the day could not get any better for the Yellows, Alberto Moreno returned to the pitch, replacing Trigueros. The defender got a standing ovation from his team-mates, playing for the first time after his knee injury which had stopped him playing before this season.
Villarreal had chances to increase their three-goal lead in Granada, but Rui Silva’s interventions stopped the Yellows from drawing more blood in a tie completely dominated by Emery’s men.
Lineups:
Granada CF: Rui Silva; Víctor Díaz (Machís, m. 53), Domingos Duarte, Germán (Vallejo, m. 61), Quini; Gonalons (Molina, m. 61), Montoro (Fede Vico, m. 73), Antonio Puertas, Herrera, Kenedy; Soldado (Adrián Marín, m. 73).
Villarreal CF: S. Asenjo; Mario Gaspar, R. Albiol, Pau, A. Pedraza; Peña (Chukwueze, m. 62), Capoue, Parejo (Coquelin, m. 75), M. Trigueros (Alberto M., m. 84); Gerard (Moi Gómez, m. 62), Bacca (Paco Alcácer, m. 62).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 9: Gerard. 0-2. Min. 18: Gerard. 0-3. Min. 60: Gerard.
Referee: Cuadra Fernández). Booked: Soldado, Quini (Granada), Parejo, Mario Gaspar (Villarreal).
Matchday information: Match between Granada CF and Villarreal CF corresponding to Matchday 29 of LaLiga Santander 20/21 at the Nuevo Estadio Los Cármenes.
