Vedat Muriqi’s injury time winner and Antonio Sánchez’s first-half strike saw us return to winning ways with a 2-1 victory against Rayo Vallecano.
Muriqi’s return to the starting XI since his injury layoff was the talking point of Javier Aguirre’s starting XI, while new signing Nacho Vidal started at right back.
The visitors had the game’s first chance in the second minute when Isi’s free-kick in a dangerous area forced Predrag Rajkovic into a routine stop.
Muriqi came close later in the first half, but his header was light work for the opposition goalkeeper.
We had a late scare in the 42nd minute when Rajkovic was forced into several close range saves in succession with Isi’s strike requiring a late block with the goal gaping.
We headed into the dressing room with the scores level with both sides having failed to create much.
That changed after the restart when Antonio Sánchez ghosted in at the back post to volley home from close range in the 48th minute.
Our lead lasted until the 76th minute when after Gio Gonzalez had made an initial stop to block a dangerous cross, Alvaro Riveria followed up to poke home from close range.
Muriqi had a late chance to restore lead as we frantically chased an equaliser with minutes left on the clock.
The forward would be the hero of the afternoon when he flicked Dani Rodríguez’s cross into the bottom corner at the near post in injury time to give us the three points.
