In a sunny El Madrigal, 15000+ Villarreal supporters applauded another Yellow Submarine win, 3-0 over Deportivo La Coruña. It's Villarreal's fifth league win on the trot, and fifth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions.
Villarreal took the lead early when keeper Fabri could only palm a low Cheryshev missile out to Jonathan dos Santos, who knocked the ball into the open net. The Depor players energetically appealed for offside, but he was unquestionably on. The Submarine controlled play for the remainder of the half but failed to change the scoresheet.
Deportivo came out in the second half with more purpose, and had a couple of half-chances, he best coming from a corner, but Asenjo got down to stop a somewhat mishit but hopeful shot--one of only two the Galicians had all match.
Immediately after that Villarreal came up with the second goal following a corner of their own. Bruno passed the ball to Victor Ruiz whose perfect low cross was prodded home effortlessly by Luciano Vietto, easily splitting the Depor defense. Five minutes later Vietto struck again in similar fashion, this time with Cheryshev providing the cross.
Tomas Pina, who had just replaced Trigueros, was sent off with two minutes left for what was a clumsy tackle, to be sure, but never deserving of a red card, but even then Depor were unable to do anything. Coach Fernández may be on his way out, judging from this performance.
Only negatives for Villarreal (apart from Pina's red) was Uche being subbed at halftime by Gio, presumably an injury, and Gio failing to convert a 1-on-1 early in the second half, the keeper making a fine reflex save. Gio just can't buy one.
Whoscored has Cheryshev, Vietto and Ruiz as the three best players on the day (in that order), which seems about right from the highlights.
Villarreal sit fifth on goal difference from Sevilla (the Andalusians have a game in hand, but since it's against Real Madrid, that might not be an advantage), and one point behind Valencia in fourth. If Athletic Club can tame Atletico today, we'd be only two points out of third. Endavant!!