Almeria welcomed Celta Vigo in La Liga on Monday looking to move four points clear of the bottom three.
The visitors led 2-0 at the interval courtesy of goals from Nolito and Santi Mina.
Almeria were back in the game early in the second half, however, when Thievy Bifouma converted from close range.
Celta were then reduced to 10 men in the 54th minute when Gustavo Cabral brought Thievy to the ground just outside the box and Almeria levelled the scores 14 minutes later through Jonathan Zongo.
Almeria were also reduced to 10 men in the 74th minute, however, when Mauro dos Santos picked up his second yellow.
Both sides threatened to score the game's fifth goal late on, but the points were ultimately shared in a 2-2 draw.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos as struggling Almeria welcome in-form Celta Vigo. Almeria have been in good form at home in recent weeks, but Celta now very much have their eye on a top-seven finish.
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS:
ALMERIA: Ruben; Ximo, Trujillo, Mauro, Casado; Verza, Thomas, Espinosa, Dubarbier; Zongo, Thievy
CELTA: Sergio; Mallo, Fontas, Cabral, Jonny; Krohn-Dehli, Augusto, Orellana; Mina, Larrivey, Nolito
So there we have it. Almeria are still without Michel and Fran Velez, but Thievy Bifouma is back from suspension and returns to the XI. Wellington Silva has also served his one-game ban, but Jonathan Zongo is preferred in attack. Javier Espinosa also comes into midfield alongside Thomas Partey.
Celta, meanwhile, are once again unchanged. This XI has hardly changed over the last couple of months and therefore Charles and Alex Lopez remain on the bench. Michael Krohn-Dehli and Fabian Orellana once again start deep, with Joaquin Larrivey, Santi Mina and Nolito all in the final third.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two teams, Celta have won three of the last five matches, with Almeria also winning twice. Celta were 4-2 winners in this stadium last season, but Almeria recorded a 1-0 victory in Vigo earlier in the campaign. There have been some high-scoring games between the two clubs in recent seasons. Let us hope for another entertaining fixture this evening!
This is of course Almeria's game in hand over the teams around them and as it stands, they are 17th in the table on 31 points – just one clear of 18th-place Deportivo La Coruna. Victory this evening, however, would take them above Eibar and open up a four-point gap, which could be decisive.
On the whole, Almeria's home form has not been too strong this season – winning just three of their 16 games. That said, they have won each of their last two matches on home turf, both against fellow relegation rivals Granada and Eibar. Last Wednesday, they lost 3-0 at Real Madrid and tonight takes on even more importance when considering that they still have to face both Sevilla and Valencia.
Celta, meanwhile, are making a late push for a top-seven finish. Eduardo Berizzo's side have won three of their last four league matches – losing only to Real Madrid. That run of form has moved them into 10th position and they are now just three points behind seventh-place Athletic Bilbao.
Celta's home form this season has been pretty strong – winning seven of their 17 games, but they have lost six times on their own patch. It has been a similar story on the road – winning five, drawing five and losing seven. In truth, it has been another inconsistent campaign, but they are now very much in the running for a possible Europa League position. Kickoff is fast approaching this evening.
PREDICTION! This is a very tough one to call. Celta might fancy their chances of recording another win, but Almeria have been much better at home in recent weeks and need the points much more. Ultimately, I am going to have to back a score draw. Score: Almeria 1-1 Celta.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a good atmosphere inside the stadium as the home side get the first 45 minutes underway.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this match. As expected, the home side have started on the front foot, with Navarro already breaking down the right, but there are no takers on the defender's low cross. I have a feeling this could be a cracking game.
It must be said that the pitch is in wonderful condition for this stage of the season - hats off to the groundsmen for that! Almeria continue to pass and probe in the early moments of this one.
Half-chance for Almeria as Thomas lets fly from outside the box, but the midfielder's effort was always moving just wide of the post. All of the early attacking pressure is coming from the home side here.
Not too much in terms of attacking football from Celta thus far, but the away side have just started to see more of the ball in the final third. We are still waiting for the first real opportunity in Almeria.
It is more of an even game at the moment as Celta continue to enjoy a share of the possession, but neither side has really threatened to make the breakthrough thus far. The surface is making it easy for both teams to pop the ball around, which is creating an entertaining game. Still goalless here.
Half-chance for the home side as Thievy makes a smart run before collecting a pass from Casado, but the striker's effort was always moving wide of the post. Decent chance, but far from clear-cut.
Ximo has been very bright for Almeria thus far, with the full-back breaking forward on a number of occasions. However, the final ball has been disappointing thus far. Fairly open game in Almeria.
There have been a number of tasty challenges in this match, but the referee has hardly used his whistle thus far! Not sure about some of the tackles, but it is creating a very open match!
CHANCE! Comfortably the clearest chance of the game as Nolito drives into the Almeria box before finding Larrivey, but he has a fresh-air shot! Any touch would surely have taken it in!
GOAL! Almeria 0-1 Celta (Nolito)
Celta have the lead with 17 minutes on the clock and Nolito has his 12th league goal of the season as the Spaniard expertly volleys one into the top corner after Krohn-Dehli had an effort blocked!
That was a really super finish from Nolito, who just placed his volley over the Almeria goalkeeper.
It is so important than Almeria keep their tempo high at this stage. Celta are a team that will go for the kill if they sense blood and a second for the visitors would give them such control in this one.
Celta are in control of the possession at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third and in truth, Almeria are struggling. Orellana tries his luck from distance, but it is just wide.
Half-chance for the home side as Zongo races down the right before delivering towards Dubarbier, but Mallo is across to clear at the vital moment. Celta are straight back down the other end with Nolito, but Thomas is across to cut out the pass. It is a cracking game at the moment here!
Celta continue to threaten and Nolito is again at the heart of it as the striker curls one from a wide angle, but Casado is on hand to make the block. Almeria are still a threat in attack, but they are just struggling to find that elusive pass. Little over 15 minutes of the first period to play in this clash.
Thievy makes a real nuisance of himself inside the Celta box - winning a corner for his team after battling Alvarez, but the resulting set piece is headed over the crossbar by the diving Zongo.
Mauro is down receiving treatment for Almeria following an aerial challenge.
The centre-back is back on his feet and looks fit to continue here.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but Celta do look the more threatening in the final third. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining in Almeria.
CHANCE! Super chance for Thievy as the Almeria forward takes a touch beyond the final Celta defender, but the striker's next touch is too heavy and the chance is gone!
You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be crucial. Almeria are not a team that score bundles of goals and it would be very difficult to see them recover from 2-0 down.
Another half-chance for the home side as Thievy meets a cross from Ximo, but the striker's header is just wide of the post. Ximo has been Almeria's most dangerous player in this first period.
GOAL! Almeria 0-2 Celta (Mina)
Celta have their second of the match with 39 minutes as Mina takes advantage of a terrible piece of defending from Casado before finishing past Ruben. Casado attempted to find his goalkeeper with a back-pass, but it did not have enough weight and Mina was on hand to poke home from close range.
Celta and Mina can do no wrong at the moment and it already appears that they are heading for another three points. Almeria need to find some way of upsetting this rhythm from the visitors.
Celta are completely in control at the moment, with Orellana coming close from a difficult angle, before Krohn-Dehli just failed to find the head of Larrivey. This could be 3-0 before the break.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute.
HALF-TIME: Almeria 0-2 Celta
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Celta leading 2-0 courtesy of goals from Nolito and Mina. Almeria have had some good moments in the final third, with Thievy their biggest threat, but their lack of cutting edge in the final third is costing them once again here.
STATS! Celta have had more of the possession with 60%, while they have had four attempts - two of which have been on target. Almeria, however, have failed to hit the target with any of their six attempts. There have also only been six fouls in a game that has flowed from end-to-end in Almeria.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Hemed, Soriano and Silva all capable of making an impact. Celta, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Bongonda, Charles and Lopez. Will we see any changes at the break?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Almeria find a route back into this match? It will be very difficult. The visitors get the second half underway.
GOAL! Almeria 1-2 Celta (Thievy)
Almeria are right back in this game with 47 minutes on the clock as Thievy converts from close range after Alvarez could only palm a strike from Espinosa into the path of the striker!
Well, we have a proper game on our hands now. Almeria had to start the second period on the front foot and that has indeed been the case. The stadium is full of noise as the home side press forward.
Plenty happening in the Celta half at the moment as Almeria continue to buzz around the box, but the visitors do manage to gain some respite when Orellana carries possession past the half-way line.
BOOKING! Thievy (Almeria) is booked for a late challenge on Orellana.
BOOKING! Mallo (Celta) is booked for a foul on Verza.
There was hardly a challenge of note in the first period, but the referee has been very busy in the early stages of the second. Celta just cannot keep the ball at the moment as Almeria continue to press.
Half-chance for Celta as Mina drives down the right before flashing a cross towards the back post, but Navarro is on hand to clear ahead of Nolito. It is end-to-end stuff with 54 minutes played.
RED CARD! CABRAL! Celta are reduced to 10 men in the 54th minute as Cabral is sent from the field for bringing Thievy to the ground just outside the box. It might have been a little soft!
BOOKING! Larrivey (Celta) is booked for dissent.
Dubarbier takes the resulting free kick, but his effort is straight into the wall!
It is all Almeria at the moment as they continue to force the issue, but Celta are just about surviving as another move breaks down. Little over 30 minutes remaining and Celta still lead 2-1 on the night.
SUB! Celta make their first change as Gomez replaces Nolito.
BOOKING! Dos Santos (Almeria) is booked for a late challenge on Larrivey.
SUB! Celta make their first change as Casado is replaced by Hemed.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but Almeria are still very much the team on the front foot as they continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field.
It just is not happening for Almeria in the final third at the moment, but Thievy does look their best bet as we approach the final 25 minutes. You still get the feeling that there are more goals in this.
Almeria are preparing to make their second change, with Silva the player called for...
... SUB! Almeria make their second change as Silva replaces Espinosa.
BOOKING! Mina (Celta) is booked for a poor challenge on Silva.
GOAL! Almeria 2-2 Celta (Zongo)
Almeria are back on level terms with 68 minutes on the clock as Zongo converts from close range after Hemed had turned a low cross towards goal. Simple finish for Zongo and we are level here!
Celta were in complete control of this game at the interval, but Almeria have such character under their new manager and they are flooding forward in search of a winner. Cracking game here!
SUB! Celta make their second change as Larrivey is replaced by Hernandez.
Little over 15 minutes of this contest remaining and we are level at 2-2. It really has been a cracking game in Almeria and you just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals here.
RED CARD! MAURO! Almeria are now reduced to 10 men as Mauro dos Santos picks up his second yellow card for a late challenge on Hernandez. It is 10 versus 10 now!
This game has had absolutely everything! It is now 10 versus 10, with the scores at 2-2. Someone is going to nick a winner here, I can just feel it. The temperature is so high in Almeria tonight!
Celta have had more of the possession since Almeria were reduced to 10 men and it appears that the home side are preparing to make their third change. This second period has just been non-stop!
SUB! Almeria make their third change as Corona replaces Thievy.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of minutes, but both teams are having good possession in the final third. Surely a goal at this stage would prove to be the winner.
Celta continue to threaten as Hernandez feeds a pass into Mina, who turns on the edge of the box, but Ximo is on hand to make a really strong challenge before winning a free kick for his team.
SUB! Celta make their third change as Alex Lopez replaces Mina.
Orellana finds space in a wide area for the away side before delivering towards Lopez, but Ruben is on hand to collect before releasing Ximo in a wide area. We are still level at 2-2 in this key match.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances as we approach the final moments in Almeria. A point would be a good result for Almeria, especially when considering that they were 2-0 behind.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as Orellana drives a dangerous cross towards Hernandez, but the midfielder cannot make contact and Almeria manage to clear the danger!
BOOKING! Thomas (Almeria) is booked for a late challenge on Krohn-Dehli.
POST! Wonderful chance for Celta to win it at the death as Hernandez meets a deep free kick from Orellana, but his header smashes off the post. What an opportunity there!
FULL-TIME: Almeria 2-2 Celta
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Almeria coming from two goals behind to claim a 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo. The home side are now two points clear of the bottom three with three games remaining. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
