UD Almeria vs RCD Mallorca - Review and Highlights

ALMERIA, November 16 ( Primera Division )

Alvaro Negredo scored twice as Union Deportivo Almeria enjoyed a 2-1 victory over Real Mallorca at the Estadio Mediterraneo which was more comfortable than the scoreline suggested.

The 23-year-old took his tally for the season to seven in 11 matches with goals in either half, the second a 67th-minute penalty.

It is no surprise his good form this season has seen the Real Madrid youth system graduate be linked with a return to his former side - as well as a number of clubs in the English Premier League.

Substitute Alhassane Keita scored a 90th minute consolation for the visitors.

Almeria's fourth win of the season lifted them above their opponents and further away from the foot of the table.

Negredo gave an early indication of what was in store for the Mallorca defenders when he latched on to Hernan Pellerano's long free-kick to fire wide from 18 yards in the third minute.

Aritz Aduriz replied for the visitors with a long-range shot of his own but his effort from 20 yards flew over the crossbar.

There were very few chances in the opening half hour, with the most significant event being a booking for Mallorca's Enrique Corrales for a foul on Jose Ortiz in the 22nd minute.

The hosts' Juanito fired a speculative 35-yard effort over in the 31st minute, while three minutes later Mallorca striker Jose Jurado dragged his shot from outside the penalty area wide of Diego Alves' right-hand post.

Five minutes before the interval Mane should have done better for the home side when he was allowed time in the penalty area to shoot left-footed from close range but drilled his effort wide.

But with 80 seconds remaining Negredo finally made the breakthrough.

He collected a pass from the left by Guilherme and lashed a 25-yard shot past German Lux and into the top corner.

Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano made a tactical switch at half-time, replacing defender Fernando Varela with midfielder Gonzalo Castro and it appeared to inject some life into the side.

However, it was the hosts who had the first real chance of the half when Negredo's 59th-minute free-kick, given for a foul by Jose Nunes on Pablo Piatti, from just outside the area was comfortably caught by Lux.

And they scored the all-important second goal in the 66th minute.

Ortiz's inswinging corner from the left was handled by Castro and Negredo made no mistake by placing a left-footed shot low into the left corner of Lux's goal.

Lux got closer to Julio Alvarez Mosquera's shot in the 70th minute, parrying the 30-yard effort to safety.

Mallorca, who have now lost four and won just one of their last six league matches, struggled to force their way back into the game.

When they eventually did, with Alhassane Keita converting Enrique Corrales' pass from the right from 10 yards, it came too late.

UD Almeria vs RCD Mallorca - 2 : 1

1:0 - 44' Alvaro Negredo
2:0 - 64' Alvaro Negredo (Penalty Goal)
2:1 - 90' Keita Otchico