On The Spot Report: Parejo Proves a Point as Villarreal Punish Valencia 2-1

Villarreal took home the bragging rights in a 2-1 victory in the local Derby. Dani Parejo who Valencia let go for free scored the winning goal at EL Madrigal

The Yellow Submarine versus Valencia is always tense affair. Both sides were full of derby fuego. Villarreal were without star man Gerrard Moreno and new signing Estupiñan who were both injured on International duty.

Villarreal struck first on the 5 minute mark. Pedraza with a darting run on the left side was to taken out by former Villarreal player Gabriel Paulista. Alcacer stepped up the take the penalty slotting it into the bottom right hand corner.

The Yellows did not rest there with the majority of chances coming from the left hand side. Dani Parejo looked lively clearly with a point to prove. Beautiful link up play with Pedraza found his shot saved in the 18th Minute.

Again it was clear Valencia were targeting the left flank of Chukwueze. Valencia finally struck gold. The Nigerian seemed oblivious in what to do in a defencive situation. Guedes cut inside and sent a curling shot into the top left to make it 1-1.

You would expect Valencia to come out fighting in the second half however their performance seemed lifeless throughout.

Kubo’s beautiful flick set up Dani Parejo who unleashed a 20 yard strike that dipped just under the post to make it 2-1. The former Valencia Captain rightly did not celebrate against his former club. Considering how they treated him he had every right to.

The remaining 20 minutes were hardly ones to remember. As expected it turned into a feisty encounter as neither side really threatened the goal.

The second yellow card of the game came in the 72nd minute from a high foot. Quite impressive considering it was Kubo who is only 5.7/ 1.73 meters tall. Villarreal then went down to 10 men in the final few minutes. Kubo was given a 2nd yellow card which even Valencia fans would agree was harsh.

Villarreal held on despite going down to 10 men to finish 2-1. It was a dire match to watch, clearly missing the crowds and the passion that comes with the local derby. Man of the match Parejo for his goal. Moi Gomez was lively as ever with Alcacer also landing himself on the score sheet.