|
Simone Zaza was the match-winner as Valencia started their La Liga campaign with a 1-0 home victory over 10-man Las Palmas. The former Juventus and West Ham forward struck after 22 minutes when Carlos Soler rolled the ball into his path on the edge of the penalty area. Zaza finished with a powerful side-foot which gave Leandro Chichizola no chance in the visitors' goal. Alen Halilovic should have equalised two minutes later but he fired tamely at Valencia goalkeeper Neto. It got a lot more difficult for Las Palmas when Croatian midfielder Halilovic was sent off after 34 minutes. Halilovic received a straight red card for catching Jose Gaya with a high foot. Valencia's impressive football should have put the game beyond Las Palmas in the second half. But Chichizola made excellent saves to deny Joao Cancelo and Zaza before substitute Santi Mina's header hit a post in the final seconds. Earlier, Gabriel's 24th-minute goal gave Leganes a 1-0 victory over Alaves at the Butarque. The Brazilian struck from close range after Miguel Angel Guerrero's free kick took a deflection and Alaves goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco could only push the ball into his path. In doing so, Gabriel became the first Brazilian since Atletico Madrid midfielder Juninho in 1997 to score the opening goal of a La Liga season. Alaves had wasted a great chance to take a 17th-minute lead when home defender Diego Rico flattened Burgui in the penalty area. Manu Garcia sent a weak spot kick straight at Ivan Cuellar, who was able to catch the ball for his third successive penalty save in La Liga. Few chances were created in the second half with Leganes content to defend their 1-0 lead. But Burgui gave them a late scare when his powerful 25-yard drive clipped the top of the crossbar.
|
