Granada unlucky in defeat

Substitute Roberto Trashorras' stoppage-time strike saw Rayo Vallecano grab all three points in a 1-0 win against Granada.

Substitute Roberto Trashorras' stoppage-time strike saw Rayo Vallecano grab all three points in their 1-0 Primera Division win against an unfortunate Granada. The visitors had the better chances, most notably with Rayo keeper Martinez Ruben pulling off an outstanding save from Fabian Orellana before Guilherme Siqueira's header cannoned off the bar immediately afterwards. They were made to pay for their profligacy as Trashorras came off the bench to fire a tremendous 25-yard free-kick into the top corner to help Paco Jemez's side off to the ideal start. Both sides struggled last year, with the visitors finishing only one point above relegated Villarreal and Rayo just a further point ahead of their opponents. It was the hosts who started brightly as Gonzalez Adrian headed over the bar before Medina Piti's strike from the edge of the box forced an early save from Granada stopper Antonio Tono. Alhassane Bangoura then blazed over from a decent position before Granada threatened to take the lead against the run of play. Orellana's free-kick 25 yards from goal looked destined for the net but Ruben pulled off a magnificent save by tipping the ball round the post. From the resulting corner, Siqueira's header from Moreno Mikel Rico's delivery came back off the woodwork. At the other end, Rayo's better chance of the half fell to Nickie Bille Nielsen, whose header from Piti's cross was superbly tipped over by Tono. It was a breathless opening half hour but Granada came back into the match, thereafter, controlling the tempo without creating any meaningful chances. After the interval, Orellana continued to cause problems in the Rayo defence and his long range effort forced Ruben into another excellent save. The visitors continued to prosper and only Ruben's point blank save from Allan Nyom's close range strike prevented them from taking a lead. Although they failed to take their chances, Granada looked good value for a point but Trashorras had other ideas. Alhassane Bangoura fouled Gabriel Torje 25 yards from goal and Trashorras' set piece rocketed into the top corner to settle matters.