Relegation-threatened Celta Vigo welcomed basement side Real Betis to the Estadio de Balaidos in La Liga on Friday evening.
Betis took the lead after 17 minutes through Ruben Castro, but the home side levelled five minutes later with a header from Fabian Orellana, before Charles made it 2-1 just past the half-hour mark.
Celta were not finished in the first period, however, with Orellana notching his second with a curling effort after 39 minutes.
Betis improved in the second half, but Nolito's strike 15 minutes from time put Celta 4-1 ahead. Castro scored his second for Betis in the latter stages, but it was a case of too little too late for the Seville-based outfit.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Week 21 in La Liga begins this evening as Celta Vigo welcome Real Betis to the Estadio de Baladois. The home side enter the match in 16th position in the table, just three points outside of the bottom three. Meanwhile, struggling Betis currently sit bottom of the division, eight points from safety after 20 matches.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Betis have won two of the last five matches, with Celta winning once and the further two fixtures ending in draws. The pair have not met in this stadium since December 2012, when Betis were 1-0 winners, but the corresponding match earlier in the season ended in a 2-1 Celta win in Seville.
TEAMS:
CELTA: Yoel; Mallo, Costas, Fontas, Jonny; Oubina, Lopez; Krohn-Dehli, Rafinha, Orellana, Charles
BETIS: Sara; Juanfran, Amaya, Paulao, Nacho; Nono, Reyes; Baptistao, Verdu, Salva; Castro
So there we have it. Charles returns to the Celta XI this evening to lead their line, while Michael Krohn-Dehli and Rafinha are also selected in attacking lineup. Santi Mina, however, drops to the bench. Betis continue with Ruben Castro in attack, while on-loan Atletico Madrid attacker Leo Baptistao is also selected, but Jorge Molina is on the bench.
Celta enter the match off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Espanyol last time out, with that result leaving them in 16th position in the table on 19 points. They have won five of their 20 matches, drawing four and losing 11. It has been a difficult season thus far, but a run of positive results would move them into a comfortable mid-table position.
In truth, they have struggled on their own patch with just two wins from their 10 matches, while they have scored just nine times at home in the league. That said, they were 2-1 winners over Valencia in their last match in this stadium and will be confident of making it back-to-back home wins this evening. Three points could move them into 13th position.
Keeping clean sheets has been a problem for Celta, however, with just three in their 20 matches, while they have conceded 32 times in total. Betis, meanwhile, have conceded 43 times, which is the second-worst record in the league. Down the other end, Celta have scored 23 times to Betis’ 16, which is the worst total in the division.
It has been an incredibly difficult season for Betis thus far with the Seville-based side currently bottom of the table on 11 points. They have won just two of their 20 matches, drawing five times and losing 13. It will come as no surprise that their away record is the worst in the league with two draws and seven losses from their nine matches.
Betis are also onto their third manager of the season with Gabriel Calderon now in charge. The 53-year-old replaced Juan Carlos Garrido, who had only been in charge since December, after Betis lost 5-0 at home to Real Madrid last weekend. They are now eight points from safety and five from 19th-place Rayo Vallecano with 18 matches to play.
PREDICTION: It is perhaps still too soon to speak of 'six-pointers', but this is a match that neither manager can really afford to lose. Celta have improved on their own patch in recent weeks, but I have a feeling that Betis will take something this evening. My score prediction is 1-1 in Vigo.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Let's hope for an entertaining La Liga contest in Vigo. The home side get the action underway.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening - far from it - but there is a strong atmosphere. It must be said, however, that the pitch is not in the best condition due to heavy rainfall in Spain throughout the afternoon. It is a match where the referee will need to be sensitive to the conditions that is for certain.
Not too much to report in terms of attacking opportunities for either side in the opening four minutes, with both attempting to gain some sort of control in the middle of the park. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial in this type of match.
First sign of Celta as an attacking threat as Krohn-Dehli drives into the Betis box before moving past Paulao, but the Dane is adjudged to have felled the centre-back. The home side have started to take control of the possession, with Betis guilty of some wayward passes in their own half. Goalless with six minutes on the clock.
Slight stoppage in play in the last couple of moments as Betis centre-back Paulao hits the deck outside his own box. It does not look too clever as he receives treatment on the field. The away side might be forced to look to their bench at this early stage. Celta continue to control the tempo, but neither has created a clear opening in the early exchanges.
Paulao does indeed return to the field, which is good news for Betis. The Brazilian's return to action immediately results in a foul on Charles. The resulting free kick is taken by Krohn-Dehli, but it drifts harmlessly wide of the post. Not too much from Betis in the opening 11 minutes in Vigo.
Betis have the ball in the back of the net on Sevilla converts from close range, but the offside flag had been raised. Much better from the away side in the last couple of minutes as they threaten with two free kicks in quick succession, before Verdu is crowded out by Fontas at the vital moment.
It has been a stop-start 15 minutes with the referee called into action to deal with a number of late challenges in the middle of the park. Betis had enjoyed the best of the last five minutes, but Celta appear to have taken control once more. That said, still no real chances for either side in this La Liga clash in Vigo.
It's bright work from Krohn-Dehli as the Celta forward drives down the right before delivering a dangerous cross into the box, but Sara is on hand to collect. The Betis goalkeeper attempts to release Castro down the other end, but Fontas takes control of the situation. Sevilla goes down inside the Celta box moments later, but the referee is not interested.
GOAL! Celta 0-1 Betis (Castro)
First blood to Betis in Vigo as Castro bundles home from close range following a wonderful cross rom Nacho. That has silenced the stadium.
Celta just need to be a little bit careful here as the challenges continue to fly in under the nose of the referee. The home side have been stunned by that opener from Castro and are yet to recover. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could decide the outcome of this match. It is a fascinating encounter.
Another half-chance for Castro as the Betis scorer drives past two defenders before attempting to curl one into the bottom corner, but Yoel is on hand to make the save. Celta are yet to register an attempt on target despite having plenty of the possession in the opening 22 minutes in Vigo.
GOAL! Celta 1-1 Betis (Orellana)
Celta level the scores after 22 minutes as Orellana heads a Rafinha cross into the back of the net from close range. Game on!
It had been suggested that this match would be a non-event with two struggling teams cancelling each other out, but that has not been the case thus far. Suddenly everyone in a blue shirt wants the ball as the home side attempt to turn the screw.
Betis just cannot keep the ball at the moment as the home side continue to force the issue in the final third. Charles is the target from a through pass from Krohn-Dehli, but Paulao is across to clear at the vital moment. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
Orellana takes matters into his own hands for Celta as he dances past two challenges outside the box before feeding Charles, but Nacho is across to clear at the vital moment. Betis are down the other end with Baptistao moments later, but his effort is straight at Yoel.
GOAL! Celta 2-1 Betis (Charles)
Celta complete the turnaround after 31 minutes as Charles heads a Mallo cross into the back of the net from close range. What on earth is happening with this Betis defence? Where was the marking?
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with a series of late challenges. The latest of those is inflicted on Rafinha by Sevilla, with the Betis midfielder gaining a yellow. However, the resulting free kick is fired straight out for a goal kick.
Betis continue to threaten in the final third as Verdu twice delivers dangerous balls into the Celta box, but Mallo and Fontas take it in turns to clear the danger. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining in Vigo. It has just flown past.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with neither side too interested in defending. Celta come close with a strike from Krohn-Dehli that is deflected behind, before Juanfran stings the palms of Yoel for Betis. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals this evening.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Charles to score his second as the Celta forward meets a corner from Rafinha, but his point-blank header is straight at Sara. Either side of the goalkeeper and that would have been 3-1. Little under five minutes of the first period remaining.
GOAL! Celta 3-1 Betis (Orellana)
Brilliant, just brilliant from Celta. Mallo is again involved as he drives a low cross into the Betis box. It eventually falls for Orellana, who curls one into the top corner for his second of the match.
It does from bad to worse for Celta. New manager, but still the same results. Celta have the chance to score a fourth as Reyes concedes a free kick just outside the box, but the resulting set piece from Rafinha is headed clear by Nacho, who was under pressure from Charles.
Betis need to be really careful here as they continue to dive into a number of late challenges in the middle of the park. Charles clashes with Nono moments later, but the referee takes no action. This first period has just flown past in Vigo. Incredible 45 minutes of La Liga football.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Amaya to cut the score to 3-2 as a loose ball falls for the Betis defender inside the box, but his effort is just deflected wide of the post by Fontas. That could have been a game-changing moment.
HALF-TIME: Celta 3-1 Betis
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Celta leading Betis 3-1. The away side took the lead after 17 minutes through Castro, but a brace from Orellana and a close-range header from Charles have left Celta with a comfortable lead. It has been an enthralling encounter thus far.
STATISTICS: Celta have dominated the possession with 65%, while they have had six attempts to Betis' three. In normal play, there has not been too much between the two sides, but Celta have been clinical in the final third. Meanwhile, Betis continue to cause their own problems in defence.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of fit-again Mario Bermejo, Nolito and Santi Mina. Meanwhile, Betis have the likes of Alvaro Vadillo, Jorge Molina and Cedrick Mabwati in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Celta would move into 13th in the table, while Betis would be further cut adrift at the bottom. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes underway. Let's hope for more of the same.
One change for Betis at the interval with Jordi Figueras entering the field in place of Paulao, who picked up an injury in the early stages of the match. Celta, however, go with the same XI. Bright start to the half from Betis as they pass and probe outside the Celta box, but the move ends when Leo is ruled offside.
Castro remains the main threat for the away side as he cuts inside two defenders before fashioning space for a shot, but Fontas is across to clear at the vital moment. Nacho looks for the run of Baptistao moments later, but it moves out for a goal kick. You just get the feeling that Betis need to score the next goal if they are to turn this match around.
Another half-chance for Betis as Nacho finds Castro with a through pass, but the Spaniard can only lift his effort high and wide of the crossbar. Not too much from Celta in the second period, but they do not need to force the issue with their 3-1 lead still in tact.
The chances continue to fall for Betis as Sevilla finds some space outside the box before curling one towards the top corner, but his effort whistles wide of the post. Credit must be given to the visitors for their response since the interval. Little over 35 minutes of the second period remaining in Vigo.
The one-way traffic continues as Betis pass and probe outside the Celta box, but they are finding it difficult to really threaten Yoel. Juanfran delivers a dangerous cross towards Baptistao moments later, but Fontas is across to clear.
Little over 30 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining and still Celta lead 3-1. The home side have not really threatened in the second period, but it will take some turnaround from Betis at this stage of proceedings. The next goal - if there indeed is one - could decide the contest. Scrappy period in the middle of the park in the last couple of moments.
Krohn-Dehli becomes the latest name to enter the referee's notebook this evening after appearing to strike Baptistao in the face. However, replays have hinted that it was a harsh decision. The opportunities have dried up in the last few moments as Celta enjoy a period of possession with 62 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Celta to put this match beyond Betis as Alex Lopez advances into the box before attempting to slide his effort under Sara, but the Argentine stands tall to make a fine save. Meanwhile, it appears that changes would be on the horizon.
Betis do indeed look to their bench with Jorge Molina replacing Baptistao, who has again struggled to influence proceedings. If Betis are to secure something from this match then a goal needs to come soon. There is still a lot of football to be played this evening.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for Celta as Rafinha drives down the left before delivering a cross towards Orellana, but Nacho just manages to ease the two-goal attacker out of the way and the danger is cleared. You just get the feeling that there is at least one more goal in this match.
Celta make their first change of the match as Nolito enters the field in place of Alex Lopez, who has faded after a bright first half. Little under 20 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining. As it stands, Celta will move into 13th spot in the table.
Nolito's first involvement almost brings a goal as the Celta forward collects a loose ball inside the box, but his near-post effort is pushed over by Sara. Moments later, Betis make their third and final change with Nono replaced by Cedrick.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few moments, but still Betis attempt to force the issue in the final third. If they are to lose this evening, they have at least shown a response in the second half. That said, what they need at this stage of the season is points. They could be further cut adrift by the end of the weekend.
GOAL! Celta 4-1 Betis (Nolito)
Nolito has his goal as the striker converts from close range following a fine cross from Charles. It gets worse and worse for Betis.
Half-chance for Betis as Castro meets a high ball inside the box, but his volley is wide of the target. Moments later, Celta look to their bench for the second time as Madinda replaces Krohn-Dehli, who has put in a good shift this evening.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of moments and the fact that the home supporters are doing the Mexican wave just further rubs salt into Betis' wounds. It has been another poor evening for the basement side. Little over 10 minutes remaining in Vigo. Will Betis concede five times for the second consecutive week?
GOAL! Celta 4-2 Betis (Castro)
Betis have their second of the match as Castro converts from close range following a mistake from Yoel, who came and missed a free kick from Nono. Another goal for the away side would make it very interesting final 10 minutes indeed.
Celta come close to scoring their fifth as Orellana drives a dangerous cross into the near post, but Amaya is across to clear at the vital moment. The resulting corner falls to Nolito, but the striker is crowded out at the vital moment. What a match this has been in Vigo.
In truth, it is not too difficult to see why both of these sides are struggling this season. Celta are impressive going forward, but they, like Betis, have problems in defence. I would not rule out another goal in the final 10 minutes or so as the attacking pressure continues from both teams.
Opportunity for Betis to score their third as Juanfran gains a free kick just outside the box. The resulting set piece is taken by Verdu, but his effort just moves wide of the post. In fairness to the away side, they are not giving up here. However, time is not on their side with 85 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Opportunity for Castro to score his third of the evening as the Betis forward finds some space inside the Celta box before attempting to lift his effort over Yoel, but the home side's goalkeeper makes a fine save.
Another free kick is awarded to Betis as Orellana fells Sevilla outside the box. The resulting set piece is delivered by Sevilla, but it just moves over the crossbar. Any touch from Paulao would have taken that into the back of the net. Time is running out for Betis in Vigo.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Celta to score their fifth as Nolito collects a pass from Charles on the edge of the box before attempting to curl one into the top corner, but his effort is high of the crossbar. Meanwhile, the handbags continue between Sevilla and Orellana.
RED CARD! Cedrick (Betis)
Betis are reduced to 10 men as Cedrick is sent from the field for a horror tackle on Rafinha. Moments later, Celta make their third and final change as Charles is replaced by Mario Bermejo.
FULL-TIME: Celta 4-2 Betis
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to a close with Celta winning 4-2. The home side move into 13th spot in the table, while Betis remain bottom on 11 points. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us again tomorrow for more La Liga football. Until then!
