Rayo: Cristian Alvarez; Tito, Zé Castro, Abdoulaye Ba, Nacho (Quini 56’); Raúl Baena, Trashorras; Licá (Javier Aquino 74’), Alberto Bueno (Manucho 57’), Kakuta; Leo Baptistao. 4-2-3-1.
Celta: Sergio Alvarez; Hugo Mallo, Cabral, Fontàs, Jonny Castro; Alex López (Orellana 57‘), Radoja, Krohn-Dehli (Charles 81‘); Agustín Fernández (Pablo Hernández 67‘), Larrivey, Nolito. 4-3-3.
Goals:
1-0. 20. Alberto Bueno. Steered header past Sergio from Kakuta centre.
Yellow cards: Orellana 24’, Cabral 27’, Nacho 27’, Trashorras 42’, Licá 44’, Nolito 45’, Tito 51’, Raúl Baena 77’, Charles 88’, Cristian Alvarez 92’.
Celta missed out on a chance to return to the European spots after they were beaten 1-0 by Rayo Vallecano in this Sunday’s mid-day kick-off. The Galicians had not lost away from home all season, but they went behind in the twentieth minute when an opportunist Bueno got his head to Kakuta’s cross to beat Sergio Alvarez. Later in the first half Krohn-Dehli hit the post, Alex López forced a couple of good saves out of Cristian Alvarez and Larrivey headed a long Nolito free kick wide as the visitors turned up the gas, and after the restart there were chances for both sides, Augusto Fernández coming up against Cristian again and Cabral heading a corner against the bar, and Kakuta in particular testing Sergio later on. No further goals though, and Rayo move safely up to mid-table after bringing to an end a run of three losses in a row.