EIBAR: Deportivo La Coruna scored early and hung on for a 1-0 win at Eibar on Monday, earning the promoted side their first victory of the Spanish league season.
Midfielder Juan Rodriguez scored what proved to be Deportivo’s winner in the 13th minute when a poor clearance by Eibar defender Eneko Boveda fell to him in the area.
After failing to threaten in the first half, Eibar substitute Dani Nieto had the hosts’ best chances with back-to-back solo efforts in the 58th and 59th. But goalkeeper German Lux parried his first shot over the bar before Nieto hit the side netting on a second try.
Deportivo defended well the rest of the way.
“I closed in on the net because I knew that there can always be a rebound that bounces your way, and I was lucky that’s what happened,” Rodriguez said. “We were able to make good on the goal we had in our favour, something we hadn’t been able to do in the other matches.”
Eibar, playing their first season in Spain’s topflight, have lost two straight after winning their first-division debut.
“We hope that this won’t last just one year and we can keep enjoying it,” said Eibar midfielder Mikel Arruabarrena.
After three rounds, Barcelona lead the league with Valencia, Sevilla and defending champion Atletico Madrid all two points behind. Real Madrid trail Barcelona by six points along with Eibar in the bottom half of the table. AP