Ilicitano triumph against a poor Villarreal

A hard-fought victory for Elche against Villarreal CF (1-0) in a very even and close game that opted for the side of the team led by Francis Rodriguez. A solitary bit of Luke boye, in the final stretch of the second half, was enough for the people of Elche to add, for the first time this season, two consecutive league victories.

The first half left about forty-five minutes very balanced on both sides. Few occasions and hardly any opportunities generated and much less exploited. The defenders prevailed over some attacks that did not play a leading role during the first act at the Martínez Valero. In the end, the twenty-two protagonists marched to the changing rooms leaving a very poor offensive baggage. And it is that while those of Unai Emery did not fire a single shot on goal Edgar Badia, the ilicitanos did it in only two occasions. A free kick from gumbau over the crossbar was the best local chance against a Villarreal who could not find their way to the Elche area.

However, there was still the hope of another second forty-five minutes where the dynamics of a game could change, not only even but very rough and with a certain lack of rhythm.

In the resumption, after passing through changing rooms, the script was maintained although with certain novelties. Not only in the entry of new footballers but also in the approach, seeing a local team that was looking for the attack with more insistence. Even so, equality continued as the dominant note in a match that remained balanced and closely contested.

but it appeared Lucas Boye. The Argentine striker, who had only been on the pitch for twelve minutes, gave Elche victory in the regional derby thanks to a good cross shot that managed to beat Rulli. With the advantage on the scoreboard, the team from Elche tied Villarreal with their approach, very uncomfortable throughout the match, and managed to get the team from Emery hardly generate danger until the conclusion of the match.