MADRID: Samu Chukwueze and Pau Torres scored first-half goals as Villarreal climbed to third place in La Liga on Monday with a 2-0 victory at home to rock-bottom Real Valladolid that left Unai Emery’s side two points off top spot.
Villarreal dominated from the start at Ceramica Stadium, getting on the board with Chukwueze’s classy left-foot finish from inside the area in the 21st minute and added Torres’ goal from close range in the 37th.
The hosts also had a goal disallowed by video review in the second half after a foul by forward Gerard Moreno before heading the ball into the net.
Villarreal are unbeaten in seven games in all competitions since a 4-0 defeat by Barcelona on Sept 27. The win put them one point behind second-placed Real Madrid and two fewer than leaders Real Sociedad. Real Madrid have a game in hand.
Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2020
