Eager to extend their gap over the drop zone, Celta started strongly and cruised into an early lead, as Valladolid conceded a league-high eleventh away goal within the first half-hour. Minutes after Iago Aspas rattled the post with a long-range strike, Gabri Veiga laid the ball on a plate for Haris Seferovic, who beat the offside trap and rendered Sergio Asenjo helpless with a well-placed header.
Valladolid were given no time to breathe, as the hosts continued stretching them with every passing move, and eventually doubled their lead following an exquisite bit of team play. Veiga struck the blow this time around with a first-time finish into the bottom-left corner, after Carles Perez glided down the right wing to feed the ball.
Woes for Pacheta’s side only mounted following the break, falling even further behind on the hour mark just minutes after they saw Selim Amallah’s goal disallowed by VAR. Yet another Veiga strike all but killed the game, as Celta players sliced through the Valladolid defense, forcing Asenjo into a wonderful save, before the 20-year-old easily slotted home his second of the afternoon.
With a league-record ninth away defeat this term awaiting at the finish line, Valladolid were ineffective in the final third, and their misery was only compounded by a late red card for Amallah. The visitors sit just two points above the bottom-three. Meanwhile, Carlos Carvalhal’s men registered a first win in eight league head-to-heads, easing fears of a first relegation since 2007.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Gabri Veiga (Celta Vigo)
