Lucas Perez keeps Deportivo in hunt for European places

Perez Penealty

Lucas Perez’s remarkable run of form continued against Eibar when he scored the opening goal at the Riazor just before halftime.

An evenly-balanced game looked to be heading to the break goalless when vsiiting keeper Asier Riesgo collided with Perez as he chased a long ball into the area. The referee blew for a penalty and Depor’s number seven stepped up to send Riesgo the wrong way from the spot.

It was Perez’s 12th goal of the campaign and his seventh in seven consecutive Liga BBVA games equaling the club record set by the Brazilian Bebeto.

Luisinho red

Deportivo, who drew 2-2 away to FC Barcelona last weekend, were comfortably holding Eibar at bay when their Portuguese defender Luisinho picked up a second yellow card and was sent off, leaving his team with 10 men for the last 22 minutes.

Arribas header

Victor Sanchez’s team continued to press forward though, and defender Alejandro Arribas doubled Depor’s lead with a header at a corner in the 73rd minute.

Eibar ran out of ideas despite having a man extra and slumped to a fifth Liga BBVA game in a row without a win. Depor, who have only lost once at home, stayed in the hunt for the European places extending their unbeaten run to seven games.