win over Zurich in the Europa League at El Madrigal on Thursday
night.
This is the Yellow Submarine's ninth consecutive home victory i
the Europa League – group stage to final – bringing them one
shy of tying the current record of 10 held by Atletico Madrid
and Benfica.
It took Villarreal just six minutes to open the scoring, as Javier
Espinosa sent Gerard Moreno through on goal, with the striker
rounding the keeper and unselfishly passing across for Cani,
who guided the ball into the empty net.
The goal gave the hosts an early boost, as they continued to
apply pressure in attack, but could not find a way through to
double their advantage, which provided the Swiss outfit with
some much needed confidence.
Zurich finally began to grow into the match, and their efforts
were rewarded in the 43rd minute when Yassine Chikhaoui's
deflected shot fell kindly to Marco Schonbachler at the far post,
with the midfielder putting the ball past a diving Juan Carlos to
level the score.
Villarreal had a glorious chance to equalise just before the
break, but Luciano Vietto's header was saved on the line by
David Da Costa.
Marcelino's side wasted little time trying to get back in front
after the restart, bombing forward straight away to put the
visitors under pressure.
Their persistence was finally rewarded just before the hour
mark when Espinosa, who spurned a glorious chance just
moments earlier, picked out Vietto in the area, with the striker
passing the ball into the back of the net past a diving Da Costa to
restore their lead.
Villarreal were back at it just moments later, as captain Bruno
Soriano doubled their lead with a remarkable free kick, curling
an unstoppable left footed drive into the top corner.
The hosts sealed the three points with the introduction of
Giovani dos Santos, who finished off the game in style, capping
off a dazzling run with a clever finish past the keeper at the near
post.
The victory ensures Villarreal remain in first place in Group A at
the half-way point, while Zurich fail to climb out of last.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile.
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