– 30/10/17 – Images courtesy of UDLasPalmas.es

LP entertain Deportivo after more disappointment away to Villarreal last weekend losing 4-0. But they did beat tonight’s opponents away on Thursday night, in the away leg in the Copa Del Ray cup match, winning 4-1. Let’s hope for same result tonight. LP our still 3rd from bottom in La Liga but a win tonight would move them above tonight’s opponents.

5mins in and first attack by LP, ball gets played to Remy but his shot hits the side netting at the near post.

Another bright move follows by LP, Remy again gets the ball on the right wing, cuts inside and then breaks into the box, breaks once more and then sees his shot go underneath the keeper to make it 1-0 LP. A prefect start for LP.

First attack for the visitors comes on the 10th min where they win their first corner but it’s easily cleared.

Then on 13 mins danger man and captain Jonathan Viera goes off injured. A big loss for the home side tonight.

On 16 mins the visitors have their first shot on goal but it’s easily saved by Raul, who has come in for the out of form Chichizola.

Another good move by Deportivo, providing quick break down the right wing but the shot is blocked and goes for a corner.

25 mins gone and visitors are on top now, LP keep giving the ball away too easily and keep losing possession.

LP win a corner, Deportivo keeper punches clear to edge of box and Vicente hits a great volley but it hits the underneath of crossbar the ball gets cleared to safety. That was very unlucky there from the home team.

Then disaster strikes, on 35 mins Deportivo break down the right, cross the ball to the far post and Celso Borges is left unmarked and has an easy header into bottom corner to make the score 1-1.

Another break by the visitors follows, again same move down the right but this time LP manage to clear.

HT – 1-1

Verdict – Great start by the home team but didn’t continue to press and go for the 2nd. Then midway through the 1st half Deportivo started to take control, mainly due to LP losing possession too easily, and typically gave away a soft goal.

We need to use Remy more as he has the beating of his full back and looks dangerous but he needs more support to keep him more involved. Massive 2nd half to come, both teams desperate for the points.

Second-half starts and the visitors are on top.

On 52 mins the lively Bakkali breaks down the left wing, cuts inside and hits a great curling shot outside the box, but it’s well saved by Raul in the home goal.

From the corner, the ball is played into the box and Borges is left again unmarked at the far post to plant his header in and make it 1-2. Another poor goal to give away.

57 mins LP turn to attack, they try to cross from the right, ball gets deflected away for a corner, the crowd appeals for a penalty nothing given. From the corner Bigas heads it just over.

67 mins Deportivo breaks down the right, Lemos makes a stupid tackle and pulls down Cartabia and the ref has no choice but to give a penalty. The former Arsenal man Lucas makes no mistakes from the spot. Now Las Palmas are in big trouble, 1-3!!

The attendance is announced, a very poor 14,800. The reaction to this sets the crowd booing and gesturing towards the chairman about their disappointment again with the lack of ambition from the club.

76mins Good ball forward finds Calleri who goes round the on-rushing keeper, but from a tight angle his shot hits the side netting. That was the first time tonight, centre forward Calleri was given a decent pass to run on to.

84 minutes and LP win a Corner. A good header by Bigas but its saved by keeper. Two minutes later another good move by the home side down the right wing, they play the ball across the box but nobody is there to tap into the empty net.

The last 5mins, provide no real chance for the home side and in the end Deportivo came out 3-1 winners.

Final Score – Las Palmas 1 Deportivo 3

The Verdict of The Saint – After a great start, Las Palmas fail to create enough chances and to get a second goal which their early possession deserved.

The loss of Viera was big but they still didn’t get Remy into the game and the service to Calleri is poor.

The squad looks weak compared to last season and many now very worried for this season. The defence is all over the place and Lemos is so out of form compared to last season, when we thought a big club would come in for him.

They are trying to play from the back but the players just aren’t good enough. The manager has had a poor start, and with attendance dropping each week, the chairman needs to finally open his wallet in January to bring in some new faces or the La Liga dream will be over this season.

Next up the easy away game to European champions – Real Madrid!!!!

Next Home match – the weekend of the 18th November against Levante.