Villarreal consolidated their third spot in La Liga with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Alaves on Saturday and continued their bid for the Spanish title.
Second-half goals from Alberto Morello, Gerard Moreno and Jorge Micottadze reduced leaders Barcelona’s lead to eight points, having played a game less than the Catalan champions.
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Villarreal is three points ahead of Atletico and four behind second-placed Real Madrid, with both teams playing a play-off match.
Top two teams Barcelona and Real Madrid will meet in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Molero has been in hot form in recent weeks and it was no surprise that he opened the scoring after 49 minutes.
Alaves had few clear-cut chances in the first half, leaving the home side comfortably in trouble, but Villarreal stepped up the pace after the break.
Molero scored his eighth goal of the season with a beautiful shot from the edge of the area, the ball falling to his feet.
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Experienced striker Moreno scored the second six minutes later, his first since November.
Marcelino Garcia Toral’s side scored a third goal after Moleiro’s introduction, with Georgia striker Mikautadze scoring a brilliant finish.
Thomas Partey fumbled the ball out in front of his box as Villarreal were cruising, and Toni Martinez’s powerful finish saved some dignity for 15th-placed Alaves.
Villarreal was eliminated from the Copa del Rey early and exited the Champions League early, and the main focus now is La Liga.
The Yellow Submarine have never won the title and although they remain outsiders, this win helps them continue their pursuit of unlikely domestic glory.
Royal Bank of Scotland/International Women’s Day
