1-1: A LATE PUSH IN VAIN

After taking the lead and hardly struggling in the first half, yet another goal in first-half injury time changed the game, with a determined Alavés fighting back for a point. We started well, took an early lead with a good goal from Peque and managed the first half well. But once again -for the third time in the last four matches- first half injury time would bring bad news as Kike García equalised. In the second half, Suso came on to restore some impetus to the attack, and in the end, the match could have so easily gone in our favour. In virtually the last play of the game, Suso had a brilliant chance to grab a dramatic winner,r but he could only shoot over with the goal gaping as we were forced to settle for a point. 

In a first half of few chances, both teams took advantage of their moments to score. Deportivo Alavés made an early warning with a low cross from Tenaglia that Guridi got on the end of, but his shot went just wide of the post. With our first chance, Nyland's ball over the top found Agoumé on the wing who crossed into the six-yard box where Peque rose highest to head home to make it 1-0. We largely controlled the rest of the half with a shot from Jordán well blocked with a committed challenge by Gudelj. 

Even on the verge of the break, we had another chance, with a corner from Lukebakio finding Isaac unmarked at the back post, but he couldn't direct a shot on target from close range. It would prove costly as in the last minute of added time Carlos Vicente's cross found Kike García who levelled up the scores. Caparrós responded at the start of the second half by bringing on Saúl for Ejuke, but Alavés were comfortable for large parts of the second half. Suso and Sow also came on and the winger looked lively and a dangerous threat. Lukebakio had a brilliant chance with ten minutes to go as he went one-on-one against Sivera but was denied by an outstanding save. 

In the final minutes, everything was still on the line. Alavés looked dangerous on the counterattack as Manu Bueno and Juanlu came off in the closing stages. In the final seconds, Suso cut inside in the box and with the whole stadium expectant, dragged his shot over and with it our hopes of taking what would have been a dramatic late three points. Now it's time to look ahead and to next Thursday at El Sadar, where Kike Salas will return from suspension but Gudelj will be unavailable after picking up a yellow card.