C.D. Leganés emphatically delivered a victory over U.D. Las Palmas (4-1) in an electric Estadio Municipal Butarque match. Coco, at his own end, Borja Garcés, Randjelovic and Sabin Merino netted the four for the Pepineros, while Jonathan Viera got the sole goal for the visitors.
From the outset, Nafti only made one change to his lineup that won in Zaragoza, bringing in Lazar Randjelović to replace an injured Fede Vico. The game started quite evenly with few clear chances either way in the opening minutes. Arnaiz was the first to lead the Blanquiazul advance but he was unable to win a penalty after being brought down in the box.
First half goals from Coco's friendly fire and Borja Garcés' penalty
In the 23’, Gaku Shibasaki had a clear sight on goal to drill the ball low and hard at the far corner, grazing Raúl Fernández' right post after the shot was nicely lined up by Arnaiz. Randjelović levelled a heavy left-footer towards Fernández in the 26' but could not keep the effort on target. It was in the 29', after Arnaiz won a corner, that Pardo's delivery took a touch off of Sergio González and then Coco to find it's way into the Canarian net.
Leganés did not rest in their search for more goals, with Palencia forcing a deep interception and winning a handball decision in the opposition's box again at Coco's fault. Referee Ávalos Barrera signalled for a penalty in the home side's favour, their first all season, which Borja Garcés swiftly converted to make it his second goal of the campaign. The teams broke for half time with the scoreline at 2-0.
Randjelović finishes Arnaiz magic to make it 3-0 and Viera cuts the deficit
The second half got underway with a triple substitution on behalf of the visitors and a quick shot from Moleiro which Riesgo handled reassuredly. Javi Hernández brought the action back down the other end with his own left-footed attempt, but it was in the 58' that Arnaiz danced through the defense to square the ball across to the Serbian, now on four goals this season. Just as Las Palmas seemed ready to respond with Mújica in on goal, Riesgo denied the visitors with a sharp foot save.
Nafti introduced Luis Pera and Juan Muñoz for Recio and Borja Gárces halfway through the second half.
Avilés makes his first start and Naim assists Sabin with the final nail in the coffin
Naim and Sabin Merino came on the the 79' for Rubén Pardo and José Arnaiz as the third and fourth changes. Viera managed to claw back a goal for the yellow club after launching a superb effort over a diving Riesgo from outside the box. Nafti's final substitution came in the form of Avilés, who makes his season debut after recovering from injury, for Randjelović, who retired with much applause. In the dying minutes, Naim took a brilliant touch to beat the defender and find Sabin Merino in the box, who did not hesitate to make the score 4-1.
Leganés are now with 21 points, with their next game being Thursday's Copa del Rey encounter against Xerez Deportivo F.C. at 20:45 (CET).
