Elche travelled to Celta Vigo on Sunday still looking for their first win on their return to La Liga.
The home side enjoyed the best of the opportunities in the first period, but could not make the breakthrough with the scores level at the interval.
Elche found a winner in the second half, however, when Javi Marquez slotted into the bottom corner after 62 minutes.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! The first of three back-to-back live commentaries from La Liga comes from Vigo as Celta Vigo welcome Elche. The home side currently sit in 13th position in the table with six points from their six matches, but Elche currently sit in the relegation zone having failed to secure a league win on their return to the division.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Celta have won two of the last five, with Elche also winning once and the further two ending in draws. As mentioned, the last time the two sides met in Vigo came in December 2009, when Celta were 2-1 winners. Celta were also victorious by a 3-1 scoreline when they last travelled to Elche in January 2011.
Celta opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Espanyol, before making it four points from two matches with a 2-1 win over Real Betis. They are without a win in four, however, having drawn with Granada and Villarreal and lost to Athletic Bilbao and Getafe, the second of which came on Thursday evening.
Celta’s home form was what kept their heads above water last season with seven wins from their 19 matches. They only lost six times on their own patch, which is just one more than Malaga and Real Betis. However, they struggled on the road with just three wins and one draw giving them 10 points – the joint-worst record in the league.
Elche, meanwhile, are still looking for their first win of the season. They opened their campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano, but they did pick up a point one week later against Real Sociedad. Two more draws followed against Almeria and Real Valladolid, but they have lost their last two with defeats against Osasuna and Real Madrid.
The Real Madrid match is sure to live long in the memory. When Richmond Boakye made it 1-1 in the 90th minute, it appeared that Elche were heading for a share of the spoils. However, they were undone in the sixth minute of stoppage time when a penalty was awarded after Carlos Sanchez had been deemed to have felled Pepe in the box – allowing Cristiano Ronaldo to win it for Madrid.
They earned the right to play La Liga football this season after storming to the Segunda Division title in the previous campaign. They won 23 of their 42 matches, securing 82 points in the process, a total which left them five points clear of nearest challenges Villarreal. However, they have not played top-flight football since 1988.
TEAMS:
CELTA VIGO XI: Yoel; Mallo, Fontas, Costa, Oubina; Fernandez, Toni, Lopez; Rafinha, Nolito, Charles
ELCHE XI: Herrera; Lomban, Suarez, Albacar, Botia; Marquez, Perez, Fidel; Manu del Moral, Coro, Gil
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Celta XI this evening with Michael Krohn-Dehli once more named on the bench, allowing Rafinha, Nolito and Charles to continue in attack. Elche, meanwhile, name Sevilla loan pair Alberto Botia and Manu del Mora. On-loan Atletico Madrid midfielder Ruben Perez also starts in midfield.
PREDICTION: Celta had been expected to struggle this season following the loss of Iago Aspas to Liverpool, but with Rafinha and Charles, they have found goals in the early part of the campaign. Elche, meanwhile, are still feeling their way into the season. I suspect their wait for a win will continue this evening. I am backing a home win in Vigo.
Here we go then. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Three points for the home side could move them into ninth position, while Elche would move away from the bottom three with their first victory of the season. Right, the away side get the action underway on this warm afternoon in Spain. Let's hope for an entertaining occasion.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a strong atmosphere. It's bright work from Fidel as the Elche midfielder drives past Hugo Mallo before winning a corner from the Spaniard. Botia is the target from Coro's corner, but Fontas manages to clear at the vital moment. Sustained pressure from Elche in the early moments.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for Elche to take the lead with four minutes on the clock as Manu del Moral meets a loose ball inside the box, but Yoel is across to make a fine save. He just had to score from that angle. The resulting corner also causes problems inside the Celta box, but David Costas manages to clear the danger at the vital moment.
Just a few signs that the home side are starting to settle with the likes of Toni and Alex Lopez enjoying possession in the middle of the park. The latter attempts to find Charles down the right, but Suarez is across to clear. Mallo delivers another cross moments later, but it is straight into the arms of Herrera.
Plenty of early indications that we will have goals this evening with both sides committing players forward in the early stages. It was a positive start from the away side, but Celta have started to dominate the possession in the opposing half. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if we indeed have one - could be vital in this type of match.
Fernandez is next to try his luck from outside the box, but it deflects high and wide of the crossbar. The resulting corner, Celta's first of the match, is delivered into the box, but Herrera is on hand to collect. Not too much to report in terms of opportunities, but the home side are certainly in the ascendancy.
Fairly cagey affair at the moment with both sides guilty of losing possession too easily in the opposing third. Celta manage to work the ball into the box following good work from Nolito, but Rafinha had pulled to the near post and the ball went far. Elche attempt to break down the other end with Carles Gil, but Toni fells the Spaniard. Still goalless with 13 minutes on the clock.
Opportunity for Elche to put a cross into the Celta box as Albacar stands over a free kick outside the area, but it is disappointing from the Spaniard, who is usually reliable in that type of position. Celta break down the other end with Nolito moments later, but the Spaniard runs into traffic just outside the box.
Again Nolito is involved for the home side as he bursts into the Elche box before attempting to curl an effort towards goal, but Botia comes across to make the challenge. It falls for the Spaniard moments later, but he is eased out by Javi Marquez. Fidel has a snap-shot down the other end, but it was always moving wide of the post. End-to-end football in the last couple of minutes.
Not much pace to the match at the moment with neither side offering much in the final third. The home supporters are doing their best to raise the atmosphere inside the stadium, but the football has failed to produce thus far. Elche have had a couple of recent moments on the counter attack, but neither has really threatened the Celta goal. We are in need of some inspiration here.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked at this stage of the match as he is called upon to deal with a number of late challenges from both sides. Celta continue to enjoy more of the possession, but they have struggled to find that elusive pass in the final third. A goal would certainly open up proceedings in Vigo, but there is no sign of it at the moment.
Celta attempt to force the issue down the left as Toni spots the run of Nolito, but the Spaniard cannot gather under pressure from Suarez, who continues to organise the defence. Possession football from the home side as they continue to probe outside the box, but the quality into the box has been short of the required standard thus far.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to open the scoring as Herrera makes a mess of a cross from Rafinha, it falls to Charles, but Herrera manages to deny the Brazilian from close range. Clearest opportunity of the match by some distance. Little under 20 minutes of the first period remaining.
One-way traffic at the moment as Celta continue to force numbers forward in each attack. The latest half-chance comes to Fernandez as the Argentine drives a low cross into the box, but there are no takers inside the area. Distinct lack of quality about Elche at the moment, meanwhile, with the likes of Manu del Moral and Carles Gil really struggling in the final third.
Elche cannot get out of their own half at the moment with Nolito, Rafinha and Charles pinning the full-backs to the edge of their own box. A corner from Fernandez is dropped just under the crossbar moments later, but Herrera manages to collect. Elche have a free kick down the other end from the resulting counter, however, with Toni felling Perez.
Frustration for Charles in the last couple of moments as the Brazilian is caught offside twice in quick succession. Elche's main threat continues to come from the high ball as Manu del Moral finds Fidel just outside the box, but he can only flash his effort wide of the post. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Again it's good work from Fidel as the Spaniard finds some space down the right before delivering a low cross into the box, but Yoel is out to collect under pressure from Coro. The away side are just starting to have more of the ball in advanced areas. However, you do worry about their ability to find the back of the net. Still goalless in Vigo.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of losing possession too readily in the final third. Elche force the issue down the left moments later as Perez delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but Yoel watches it move over his head. In truth, it has not been the best of La Liga fixtures thus far as we approach the half-time interval.
Celta come again down the right as Charles collects a pass from Fontas before finding Toni who delivers a dangerous cross into the box. It falls to Nolito, but his effort is deflected wide of the post. The resulting corner drops onto the head of Mallo, but Botia manages to block at the vital moment. Better intensity about the last couple of minutes.
Again it is nervy goalkeeping from Herrera as the Elche stopper comes and misses a curling corner from Fernandez, but there are no takers at the far post. Elche attempt to break down the other end moments later, but Alex Lopez fells Marquez. Little over two minutes of the first period remaining.
Good spell for Elche in the latter stages of the half with Coro and Manu both having efforts from distance, but neither comes close to threatening Yoel in the Celta goal. The fourth official indicates that we will play one additional minute at the end of the first period.
HALF TIME: Celta 0-0 Elche
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. The home side have enjoyed the best of the opportunities, but neither has done enough to deserve to be leading at this stage of proceedings. Hopefully the tempo will increase in the second 45 minutes.
STATISTICS: Celta have shaded the possession with 58% and although they have had less attempts than Elche, they were the better side in advanced positions. As it stands, Elche's search for their first away win of the season will continue. However, there is still plenty of football to be played.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on the bench in the shape of Michael Krohn-Dehli, Madinda and Santi Mina. Meanwhile, Elche have the likes of Aaron Niguez, Boakye and Stevanovic in reserve. It could be a match that is ultimately decided from the bench.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if we indeed have one - could be decisive. Celta get the half underway.
Positive start to the second period from the home side as Alex Lopez finds some room before driving a low cross into the box, but Herrera is on hand to collect. Elche counter down the other end with Fidel, who looks for the run of Manu, but Yoel clears the danger. Positive tempo in the early stages of the half.
Elche again threaten with a deep corner from Suarez, but Fontas is on hand to clear at the vital moment. The end-to-end period of the match continues as Rafinha moves into the Elche box, but Albacar comes across to clear. That has been the story of the second period thus far. Still goalless in Vigo.
Neither team can get any sort of tempo to their play at the moment with the amount of challenges arriving from both sides. However, the referee has refused to look to his book despite calls from both sets of players. In truth, neither side has covered themselves in glory while in possession in the opening 53 minutes of football.
Better from the home side in the last couple of moments as Toni collects possession on the left before delivering a dangerous cross into the box, but Herrera is on hand to collect under pressure from Nolito. I suspect that both managers will be thinking about changes in the next 10 minutes or so. This match is there to be won there is no question about that.
Slight problem for Albacar as the Elche defender leaves the field holding his hamstring. It is unclear whether he will be able to return to the action for the remaining 30 minutes or so. In truth, neither side is acting as if they want to pick up all the points at the moment. A draw would not be the worst result for either side, but Celta will have been expected to win this match.
Elche are forced into their first change of the match as Albacar is forced to depart the field. His replacement is Cisma, which is not much of a surprise. Still no movement on the Celta bench, but I suspect that will change in the next 10 minutes or so. A goal could be enough to pick up all the points in Vigo.
Better tempo in the last couple of moments with both sides committing players to each attack. It's good work from Coro as the Elche attacker drives a low cross into the box, but Yoel comes out to collect. Celta are down the other end moments later with Rafinha, but his cross is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.
GOAL! Celta 0-1 Elche (Marquez)
Elche take the lead just past the hour mark as Marquez slots into the bottom corner following a darting run into the box. Wonderful finish from the midfielder. Who saw that coming?! As it stands, they are heading for their first league win of the season.
Much more of a contest as we approach the last 25 minutes with the home side forcing the issue in the final third. Nolito drives into the box moments later, but the Spaniard is penalised for a foul, much to the frustration of the home supporters. Meanwhile, it appears that the home side are preparing to make their first change of the match.
Celta make two changes with Krohn-Dehli and Mina replacing Nolito and Fernandez. Safe to say that Nolito is not best pleased with the decision and he lets his manager know. Celta continue to deliver high balls into the Elche box, but Herrera is equal to the danger. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining, with Elche leading by that Marquez strike.
Krohn-Dehli's first real involvement arrives down the left as he collects a sweeping pass from Toni before driving into the box, but his cross is high and wide of the crossbar. Elche continue to threaten on the counter with Carles Gil the main target, but they are struggling for possession.
You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals this evening, especially with both sides committing players forward at every opportunity. If Elche are to pick up all the points, it will not be because of a memorable performance, but they will not mind that is for certain. Still 1-0 to Elche with 72 minutes on the clock.
Frustration for Elche as Celta are awarded two free kicks in quick succession, but the first is delivered into the arms of Herrera before Krohn-Dehli fires high and wide of the crossbar, which brings groans from the home supporters. Elche make another change moments later as Boakye replaces Manu del Moral.
Boakye's pace is an immediate problem for the home side as the striker stretches the Celta defence, but Yoel is out to collect at the vital moment. Krohn-Dehli is on the counter moments later, but his cross is punched clear by Herrera. Little over 10 minutes of normal time in Vigo. Elche are heading for their first win of the season.
Again it's good work from Boakye as the striker buys his team another minute or two as he carries possession into the Celta half, but he is left isolated when looking for a teammate. Backs against the wall for Elche as they continue to repel the danger. Can Celta find some inspiration in the latter stages?
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with Elche comfortable in possession. Distinct lack of ideas from the home side as they continue to deliver it long into the opposition box. We have hardly seen anything from the likes of Charles and Rafinha, but there is still time for that to change in the final eight minutes or so.
Celta have the ball in the back of the net as Lomban converts from close range, but the offside flag had been raised, which brings the celebrations to an end. Serious questions would have been asked about Herrera, who allowed the header to move through his grasp. Still Celta search for the leveller as we approach the final few minutes.
Elche look to their bench for the third and final time this evening as Mantecon replaces Carles Gil for the final few minutes. Elche are around five minutes away from picking up their first three points of the season. It has been a forgettable tie, but the away side will not mind if they can hold on. Not too much from Celta at the moment.
Celta's frustration continues as Elche win a free kick in their own half, which wastes more precious seconds. However, you just get the feeling that there will be one last opportunity in this match. Little over one minute of normal time remaining in Vigo.
Celta continue to dominate the possession in and around the Elche box, but it is the same old story as each long punt into the area is cleared by a player in a black shirt. The referee indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of added time and we are indeed into the second of those.
FULL TIME: Celta 0-1 Elche
So there we have it. Elche hold on to pick up their first three points of the season. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Espanyol against Getafe. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
