The Submarine comfortable beat Elche and look impressive in their first league win
Villarreal beat Elche CF (4-1) at the Estadio de la Cerámica in an impressive team performance to get their first win of the 21/22 LaLiga after deserving a victory but being unable to get it in previous games.
The first goal for the Submarine came only. In the fifth minute, Paco Alcácer gave a great assist, playing it into space for it to fall to Yeremy Pino in the box, who capitalized on the chance. Villarreal, despite leading, did not sit back after the early goal and continued to create danger with various crosses being put into Kiko Casilla’s area.
However, the side from Alicante got back into the game 15 minutes later with their first good chance, after a missile from Johan Mojica flew past Sergio Asenjo. Despite that, Unai Emery’s men continued to believe and continued their playing style, causing problems for Elche’s defence. That paid off and Villarreal went ahead once more with a great Manu Trigueros goal. The midfielder finished a great team move, which involved Yeremy and Alcácer. In the last minute of the first half, Mandi, who didn’t expect the ball to fall to him in the box, could have made it 3-1.
At half-time, Emery introduced Pervis Estupiñán for Alfonso Pedraza, who had been booked in the first half. The Ecuadorian continued the threat down the left shown in the first half.
With 15 minutes gone in the second half, the goal that killed the game off came. Arnaut Danjuma went through on goal with Casilla, and his first shot was saved, but the rebound fell to him, and he did not let Elche off, making it 3-1. Villarreal did not give the away side any chances, and knew how to defend their lead, by maintain possession and impressing, until Alberto Moreno scored calmly in the 93rd minute to make it 4-1 on the scoreboard.
Next up for Villarreal is LaLiga Matchday 7, against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday 25th September at 9pm CEST
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: S. Asenjo; Mario Gaspar, Pau, Mandi, A. Pedraza (Estupiñán, m.45); Parejo, Capoue, Trigueros (Coquelin, m.75); Yeremy (Moi Gómez, m. 53), Paco Alcácer (Dia, m.75), Danjuma (Alberto M. m. 85).
Elche CF: K. Casilla; Roco, A. Barragán, Diego Glez; Josan, Fidel (Pastore m.64), Iván Marcone (Guti, m.64), Gumbau (Mascarell, m.64), J. Mojica; Carrillo, Lucas (Benedetto, m.69).
Goals: 1-0. Min 5: Yeremy. 1-1. Min. 19: Mojica. 2-1. Min. 38: M. Trigueros. 3-1. Min. 60: Danjuma. 4-1. Min 93: A. Moreno
Referee: Muñiz Ruiz. Booked: A. Pedraza (Villarreal); Fidel, Diego González (Elche).
Matchday information: Game between Villarreal CF and Elche CF, corresponding to LaLiga Matchday 6, at the Estadio de la Cerámica.