Nolito the difference maker at El Molinon

Back and forth

R. Sporting treated the game like a final with the club battling against the drop, while RC Celta were determined to consolidate their position in the European qualifying places. It made for a contest filled with attacking intent from the early stages, with both sides desperate for an early breakthrough.

Orellana – a constant threat

Sporting tried to employ a high press in a bid to disrupt the Galician outfit's usual flowing game. Eduardo Berizzo's team had the perfect answer in Fabian Orellana, however, who was undoubtedly the most dangerous player on the pitch. The Chilean caused chaos by dropping in between the home side's defensive lines and was able to play passes in behind Abelardo's back-four, but the goal just would not come.

Sporting grew as the game progressed

The home side took a while to settle into the match, although they gradually came out of their shell after the initial tension had dissipated. Jony's industrious work down the left wing and Antonio Sanabria's movement were at the forefront of Sporting's best moments in the match, although the Paraguayan spurned the team's clearest chances in the second half.

Clinical Nolito

Sporting were in the midst of their finest spell of the game when Celta struck what would prove to be the winner through a fine piece of play by Nolito. The Spaniard picked up the ball on the left and cut inside to release a low, hard drive that beat Ivan Cuellar at the near post. It was another sign that the 29-year-old is back to his best after a muscle injury.

Visitors in control

The opener did not dampen the home team's spirits, as they looked to strike back immediately with the clock ticking down. The Galicians remained resolute in defence, however, and managed to see out the win. Sporting tried to take control of the match, but the visitors did exactly what was needed to leave El Molinon with all three points.