Rayo the Real deal as Palazón punishes Pucela

Coming into the contest on the back of three consecutive league defeats to nil, Valladolid edged a cagey opening 20 minutes, with Iván Sánchez seeing the hosts’ best chance comfortably saved by Stole Dimitrievski. Rayo gradually improved after a slow start, and were given a golden opportunity to open the scoring, when an unfortunate handball by Valladolid was punished inside the box. Isi Palazón stepped up from the spot, however the Spanish winger saw his penalty superbly thwarted by Jordi Masip to keep the scores level.

Undeterred by the miss, Los Franjirrojos continued to press for a breakthrough before half-time, but Masip held firm in the Valladolid goal to divert a powerful long-range strike from Fran García over the bar. Rayo emerged after restart eager to make their pressure count, and finally found the goal their play deserved, as Palazón atoned for his earlier miss, firing a clinical effort into the bottom corner to give the visitors the lead with 25 minutes remaining.

Valladolid, without the services of leading goalscorer Sergio León, went in pursuit of a late equaliser, however despite some late pressure and a decent half-chance for substitute Óscar Plano, the Rayo rearguard held firm for a vital three points. The result moves Andoni Iraola’s men up to eighth, one point adrift of sixth-placed Atlético Madrid. Meanwhile, Valladolid remain in 16th, only two points above the relegation zone.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Isi Palazón (Rayo Vallecano)