Rayo: Rubén; Arbilla, Zé Castro, Gálvez, Rat; Raúl Baena, Trashorras; Rochina (Lass 73’), Alberto Bueno (Jonathan Viera 68’), Iago Falqué (Nacho 81’); Larrivey. 4-2-3-1.
Almería: Esteban; Rafita, Trujillo, Torsiglieri, Dubarbier; Verza (Suso 60’), Azeez, Corona; Jonathan Zongo (Soriano 67‘), Rodri, Aleix Vidal (Helder Barbosa 60’). 4-3-3.
Goals:
1-0. 37. Bueno. Got free of markers to head Falqué corner down inside near post.
2-0. 57. Larrivey. Drifted in behind defence to turn Falqué cross wide of Esteban.
2-1. 71. Soriano. Ran on to return pass from Rodri and curled shot past Rubén.
3-1. 76. Larrivey. Got on the end of Jonathan Viera cross to slide shot past keeper.
Yellow cards: Dubarbier 42’, Rat 66’, Corona 78’, Rodri 78’.
Rayo Vallecano moved out of the relegation spots after a 3-1 victory against fellow strugglers Almería on Saturday evening. Paco Jémez’s side were full of confidence after winning their last two games, and Larrivey and Arbilla went close before Alberto Bueno got on the end of Iago Falqué’s corner to head the opener. And after the restart Falqué brought a good save out of Esteban before he crossed in for Larrivey to score the second. A few minutes later however Zé Castro had to clear a shot from Rodri for a corner, and soon afterwards Soriano picked up a return pass from Rodri to get one back. Jonathan Viera fired a deflected shot wide though a couple of minutes later, and with a quarter of an hour to go the ex Valencia midfielder crossed in for Larrivey to slide home the third. The result takes Rayo three points clear of their opponents, who drop to next to bottom spot in the rankings.