Unplayable Chukwueze Drives Villarreal To Victory

Samuel Chukwueze was once again front and centre for Villarreal as the Yellow Submarines condemned Mallorca to a second straight loss since the resumption of LaLiga.

The Super Eagle set up Colombian forward Carlos Bacca to score the game’s only goal in the 16th-minute at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

The win, Villarreal’s second straight lone goal victory following Saturday’s 1-0 win at Celta Vigo, moves Javi Calleja’s team up to 7th on the log with 44 points – two points and a place away from the European places.

With Chukwueze and Bacca both pivotal in the win against Celta after coming off the bench, Calleja restored the pair to the starting eleven to devastating effect.

The Nigerian winger, unplayable throughout the encounter, danced into the box in trademark style to set up Bacca for a simple tap in to put Villarreal in front after 16 minutes.

Chukwueze who was making his 28th La Liga appearance nearly doubled Villarreal’s advantage five minutes into the second half but shot just over when well placed.

Mallorca would feel hard done by as they played well and fashioned out a number of chances to score but failed to capitalise.

The visitors struck the woodwork twice and saw a goalbound shot cleared off the line in the 90th-minute as they chased an equaliser that never came.

Back to back defeats means Vicente Moreno’s team passed up a chance to move away from relegation waters as they stay in 18th place, three points off safety with nine games to go.