Deportivo Alavés defeated Villarreal 1-0 on Friday to solidify their position at the top of La Liga EA Sports. Lucas Boyé scored the only goal of the match in the 31st minute, assisted by Ángel Pérez following a long pass from Antonio Blanco, who was named man of the match by Mundo Deportivo.
How did the match unfold?
The matchday three fixture was played on August 28 at Mendizorroza in front of 15,556 spectators. Alavés, managed by Quique Sánchez Flores, showed defensive solidity and a touch of fortune to maintain their winning run. Iñigo Pérez's Villarreal, still without a win this season, had their chances. Visiting captain Gerard Moreno had a clear opportunity saved by Alavés goalkeeper Antonio Sivera. In the second half, Ángel Pérez hit the post in the 70th minute. Later, in the 85th, Villarreal's Foyth also struck the woodwork in a sequence where the ball rebounded multiple times.
The victory places Alavés in an enviable position early in the championship. The team has seven points from a possible nine, with a record of two wins and one draw from three games. They also boast a +4 goal difference, having scored five and conceded just one. This run puts them one point clear of Barcelona in the standings, a fact you can check on our standings page.
Who were the key performers?
Antonio Blanco was named the best player of the match. His work in midfield and his long pass for the goal move were decisive. Argentine striker Lucas Boyé showed his scoring instinct to convert the clearest chance into a goal. In goal, Antonio Sivera was reliable and made key saves to preserve the result, including the one against Gerard Moreno.
Referee Isidro Díaz de Mera Escuderos showed five yellow cards. Abde Rebbach, Nicolas Pépé, Mariano Díaz, Antonio Sivera and Renato Veiga were cautioned. The match also saw an injury for Alavés, as defender Toni Martínez was forced off in the second half.
What does this win mean for the season?
With this third consecutive victory, Alavés shows that their strong start is no fluke. Defensive solidity and offensive efficiency are their main assets. The team has achieved a near-perfect start to the season, something that hasn't happened in years. The data on our stats page reflects this collective performance.
The next challenge for the leaders will be on September 6, when they host Osasuna, who are seventh in the table, at Mendizorroza. It will be another test for a team that doesn't want to come down from cloud nine. The squad, which you can review on our squad page, faces this challenge with maximum confidence. The goal now is to maintain this positive momentum in a demanding schedule.
