Getafe 3-1 Valencia: Manu Brace Sends Los Che Packing
Thursday, September 24, 2009 @ 10:56 AM
Manu Del Moral proved the hero as Getafe came from behind to secure a comprehensive victory over Valencia in an action-packed Primera Liga encounter at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez in Madrid.
David Villa had given the visitors the lead midway through the first half but less than two minutes later Manu had equalised for the home side before firing them in front seven minutes before the interval.
In a busy opening quarter of an hour, new signing Pedro Leon and Manu were lively for the home side while David Silva and Juan Mata provided the attacking impetus for Los Che.
Then Villa made his mark on the tie twenty minutes in. First he latched onto a Joaquin through ball but Oscar Ustari in the Getafe goal was equal to his effort. Moments later Mata and Silva combined well before finding Joaquin who lofted an excellent ball over the Getafe rearguard and Villa controlled it expertly before thumping home to give Valencia the lead.
El Geta's response was an instant one. Jaime Gavilan skipped past a challenge from Joaquin before cutting it back to Javier Casquero. The captain squared it to Manu who bagged his first of the season to restore parity.
The goal settled the home side who seemed content to weather a period of Valencia dominance, in possession at least as Los Che failed to test Ustari. Ever Banega was beginning to throw his weight around with some tough tackling in the middle of the park.
Then it was the home sides turn to put their opponent on the back foot and Geta duly took the lead from a Pedro Leon corner. Jeremy Mathieu's attempted clearance fell to Manu at the far post and his effort crossed the line before Miguel Angel Moya palmed it away to put Geta in front.
The second half started in much the same vein as the first with both sides enjoying periods of pressure without creating anything of note. Then ten minutes in Gavilan put Geta 3-1 in front, or at least thought he had, as an offside flag ruled his effort out.
The home side continued to press and a lively Pedro Leon, who signed from Real Valladolid in the summer, fired over after a fine run before bringing a good save from Moya from a 30-yard free-kick.
On 68 minutes the diminutive midfielder finally got the goal his performance deserved, firing a stunning free-kick past Moya to give the home side a two goal cushion.
Geta looked content to sit on the two goal lead and hit the visitors on the counterattack. Manu could have had his hat-trick with five minutes remaining after a swift counter involving Pedro Rios but couldn't find the finishing touch.
Then Villa had a late chance to get Valencia back in it but he somehow managed to direct his header off target as he was left unmarked from Mathieu's deep cross. El Guaje kicked the upright in frustration as his effort typified a frustrating night for Unai Emery's side.
In the end Getafe were worthy winners thanks largely to a fantastic performance from Pedro Leon and some fine finishing from Manu while an out of sorts Valencia must now look to put this defeat behind them when they take on fellow championship hopefuls Atletico Madrid at the Mestalla on Sunday.
Source: goal.com