Elche welcomed Rayo Vallecano to the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on Monday knowing that victory would move them off the bottom of La Liga and out of the relegation zone.
The hosts led 1-0 at the interval following a long-range strike from full-back Damian Suarez.
Both sides had chances in the second period, but Elche made sure of the points late on through Garry Rodrigues. Rayo, meanwhile, finished the match with 10 men following a red card for Raul Baena.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero as Elche welcome Rayo Vallecano. It should be an entertaining clash as Week 22 in Spain's top flight draws to a close. Right, before we get down to the facts and figures ahead of the match, let me bring you up-to-date with the all-important team news.
TEAMS
ELCHE: Tyton; Damian, Lomban, Roca, Albacar; Adrian, Pasalic; Aaron, Victor, Fajr; Jonathas
RAYO: Tomo; Tito, Amaya, Ze Castro, Insua; Baena, Trashorras; Aquino, Bueno, Kakuta; Baptistao
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Elche XI this evening, with Brazilian forward Jonathas leading the line once more. There are also spots in the team for Aaron Niguez and Victor Rodriguez, but Coro and Garry Rodrigues will both start on the bench for the home team.
For Rayo, Paco Jemez has selected an extremely attacking XI. Leo Baptistao is the only out-and-out striker in the side, but the Brazilian will receive support from Alberto Bueno, Javier Aquino and Gael Kakuta. Jemez also has options on his bench, with the likes of Manucho and Lica in reserve.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Elche have won three of the last five matches, with Rayo winning once and the further match ending in a draw. Earlier this season, Elche won the reverse match 3-2 in Madrid, while they have also won both of their previous home meetings with Rayo in La Liga – keeping a clean sheet on both occasions. Will that run continue this evening?
Elche, however, are having a really difficult season. They have won just four of their 21 league games this season, with a total of 17 points leaving them rooted to the bottom. Their home form has been disappointing, meanwhile, with just two wins and six losses from 11 games this season.
Elche's last home game, however, was hardly ideal preparation for this match as they were thumped 6-0 by Barcelona. They were also beaten last time out at fellow strugglers Granada, who sit one spot above Elche on 18 points. Despite the doom and gloom, however, victory here would actually move the home side out of the drop zone and into 17th position. It is a big carrot for the hosts.
Rayo, meanwhile, are looking over their shoulders at this stage of the campaign. Jemez's side have won just one of their last four games in the league, with that run of form leaving them in 15th position, just five points outside of the relegation zone. They will enter the match off the back of a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Deportivo La Coruna last weekend, which certainly angered the supporters.
It will not come as much of a surprise that Rayo's away form this season is far better than their form on their own patch. The capital side have actually won five of their 11 games on the road, which is more than European-hopefuls Villarreal and Valencia. At home, however, they have won just two from 10 and collected seven points, which is the second-worst home record in La Liga this season.
PREDICTION! I really fancy Rayo to claim maximum points here. I like the team that Jemez has selected and as discussed, Elche have been poor at home. My score prediction is 2-1 to the visitors.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a strong atmosphere inside the stadium as the away side get the first 45 minutes underway.
It has been a decent start from the home side, with a low cross from Jonathas causing concern in the Rayo box, but Tito is on hand to clear the danger. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital here. Elche continue to press with a couple of early corners.
Far from a full stadium at Elche this evening, but there is still a decent atmosphere and the home supporters will be encouraged by their team's start to the match. Not too much from Rayo thus far, but they have plenty of threats in the final third, with Kakuta, Bueno, Aquino and Baptistao all playing.
Adrian tries his luck for the home side after finding space outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Elche remain on top with six minutes on the clock here.
Much better from Rayo in the last couple of minutes, with Kakuta seeing more of the ball in advanced positions. The on-loan Chelsea midfielder has also tried a couple of through passes towards Leo, but the Brazilian has been unable to capitalise thus far. Decent opening from both sides tonight.
There have been some crunching challenges in the last few minutes, but the referee has allowed the play to flow, which is contributing to an open match. Elche do force a free kick in a wide area following a late challenge from Amaya on Fajr, but the delivery from Albacar is extremely poor indeed.
I mentioned that the referee was allowing the game to flow, well was in the vital word! The last couple of minutes have been interrupted by a series of late challenges and subsequent free kicks.
Half-chance for the home side as Roco has an effort deflected on goal, but Tono is out to claim at the vital moment. Adrian flew into the Rayo goalkeeper, but the Spaniard was nice and strong.
CHANCE! Clearest chance of the match by some distance as Victor delivers an excellent cross onto the head of Jonathas, but the Brazilian heads over from a really good position.
Rayo are down the other end with Baptistao, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
CHANCE! Rayo's best chance falls to Trashorras as Kakuta sets up the Spaniard on the edge of the box, but his effort is high and wide. Chances at either end with 18 minutes on the clock.
It has been a decent spell for Rayo in the last couple of minutes, with the away side forcing the issue in the final third of the field. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - is going to be vital here. Elche have another free kick outside the box, but Fajr's effort is blocked by Baena.
GOAL! Elche 1-0 Rayo (Suarez)
Elche break the deadlock with 21 minutes on the clock as Suarez rifles one into the top corner from some 35 yards. Stunning hit from the right-back, who celebrates widely with his teammates.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Elche to score a second as Lomban meets a corner from the left, but his header is just wide of the post. It really should be 2-0. Rayo are on the ropes here.
Everything seems to be going for Elche at the moment - the decisions, the second balls.
CHANCE! Rayo's defending - wow. Again Elche are allowed time and space in the final third as Victor delivers onto the head of Jonathas, but Tono makes a wonderful, wonderful save.
BOOKING! Bueno (Rayo) goes into the book for handball.
Elche should be out of sight, but Rayo are just about surviving. Jonathas threatens again, but this time the Brazilian is flagged offside. It is difficult to imagine the visitors responding from two goals behind and therefore it is vital that the next goal - if there is one - comes for the team in red here.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last few moments, with the referee forced to intervene following a couple of late challenges. Still 1-0 Elche, but they really should be further ahead.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but the home side remain in control of the possession, while Jonathas continues to stretch the Rayo defence with some clever runs. Rayo have had a couple of half-chances, but are yet to really test Tyton in the Elche goal.
BOOKING! Baptistao (Rayo) is booked for a late challenge on Fajr.
CHANCE! Rayo come close to levelling the scores as Kakuta delivers an excellent cross towards Bueno, who looks certain to finish from close range, but Tyton is on hand to claim.
Much better from Rayo in the last couple of minutes as Baptistao threatens to meet a through pass from Aquino, but Tyton is quick off his line. Elche are down the other end with Victor moments later, but his curling cross is claimed by Tono. Excellent work from both goalkeepers in the last few minutes.
Baptistao remains a threat for the away side as he spins outside the box before firing towards goal, but the striker's effort is deflected for a corner, which is wasted. Still 1-0 Elche with 41 minutes played.
Just a reminder that as it stands, Elche would move off the bottom and out of the relegation zone. However, there is still a lot of football to be played and surely Rayo will improve in the second half.
HALF-TIME: Elche 1-0 Rayo
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Elche leading 1-0 courtesy of an excellent strike from Damian Suarez. In truth, the home side should be out of sight, but Tono has made some excellent saves in the Rayo goal. Can the visitors turn this one around in the second half?
STATS! Rayo have had more of the ball with 57%, but they are yet to hit the target, with all four of their attempts failing to test Tyton. Elche, however, have hit the target with three of their nine attempts. There have also been two bookings - both for Rayo - following some untidy challenges.
BENCH WATCH! Elche have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Coro, Herrera and Rodrigues all available for the hosts. Rayo, meanwhile, also have options in the shape of Manucho, Lica and Jozabed. Will Jemez look to his bench at the break?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Elche will move out of the relegation zone. It is the home side that get the second 45 minutes underway.
SUB! Rayo made one change at the break, with Alex Moreno replacing Aquino.
CHANCE! Excellent chance for Rayo to level as Baptistao feeds Bueno, who had taken up an excellent position, but his powerful effort is straight at Tyton from a difficult angle.
Elche break into the final third with Adrian, who slides a low pass towards Jonathas, but the striker was in an offside position. The next goal in this match - if there indeed is one - is so important.
BOOKING! Albacar (Elche) is booked for dissent.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but it is still an entertaining affair, with both sides pressing numbers into the final third of the field. Kakuta had a poor first half for Rayo, but the on-loan Chelsea youngster has been much brighter since the restart here.
Rayo are on the front foot at the moment as the visitors continue to threaten in wide areas, but Jonathas is such a threat on the counter for Elche and one of these offside calls will surely soon go his way.
Half-chance for the home side as Aaron delivers an excellent cross towards the near post, but Tono is on hand to collect at the vital moment. The end-to-end football continues, but Elche still lead.
CHANCE! Jonathas comes close to scoring Elche's second as he fires a low cross towards the bottom corner and it almost drops past Tono, who seemed to touch it close go his own goal. Little over 30 minutes remaining and chances are arriving at both rends of the field here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to level as Trashorras meets a loose defensive header on the edge of the Elche box, but his effort is wide of the post. Should have been much better.
We are getting to the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes. Rayo have Manucho in reserve and it would not be a surprise to see the powerful forward very shortly.
You just get the feeling that there is at least one more goal in this match and there is still plenty of time for it to arrive. Elche are far from comfortable despite their lead and number of chances created.
CHANCE! How has he missed! Golden chance for Elche to score their second as a quick counter leads to Victor delivering an excellent cross onto the head of Pasalic, but somehow the midfielder heads wide from close range. That is one of the misses of the season - wow!
Elche want a penalty as Insua appears to handle inside the box, but the referee is not interested and somehow the score remains 1-0. How on earth has there only been one goal in this match?!
Rayo boss Jemez had already made one change, but it is a surprise that he has not called for Manucho, who is just the type of player that would cause Elche problems. Little over 20 minutes remaining.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Pasalic is the first to react to a loose ball inside the Rayo box, but he scuffs his effort straight at Tito. Rayo survive once again.
SUB! Finally the change I have been crying out for as Manucho replaces Bueno for Rayo.
SUB! Elche make their first change as Aaron is replaced by Rodrigues.
Rayo remain a threat in the final third, but Elche now have another option with Rodrigues, whose first involvement is to curl one high and wide of the crossbar. Still the home side led 1-0 here.
Half-chance for Kakuta this time as the Rayo midfielder drives into the Elche box before firing one towards the bottom corner, but he misses the post. Little under 15 minutes remaining.
RED CARD! BAENA! The away side have been reduced to 10 men as Baena receives two yellows in quick succession. One for a late challenge and one for dissent.
SUB! Rayo make their third change as Jozabed replaces Amaya.
It is all getting very untidy at the moment as Manucho flies into Jonathas outside the box, presenting Elche with a free kick in a good position. The resulting set piece, however, comes to nothing.
There is still time for Rayo to snatch a point here, but Elche are also threatening to score a second goal. Is there to be late drama? As it stands, Elche will move out of the bottom three.
GOAL! Elche 2-0 Rayo (Rodrigues)
That will do it then! Elche score their second of the evening as Rodrigues collects a smart pass from Fajr before finishing into the bottom corner. Excellent work from the number 11.
Elche want a third as Pasalic strikes one from outside the box, but his effort is high and wide.
Rayo have been really poor this evening there is no getting away from that. I expected a lot more from the capital side, but they have been all over the place in defensive areas.
SUB! Elche make their second change as Herrera replaces Jonathas. Herrera comes close to scoring with his first touch, but the Spaniard fires over the crossbar from a Fajr through ball.
BOOKING! Jozabed (Rayo) is booked for a foul on Rodrigues.
SUB! Elche make their final change as Coro replaces Victor.
Half-chance for Rayo in the first minute of added time as Kakuta drills a low cross into the box, but Tyton claims with relative ease. Elche will indeed move out of the bottom three tonight.
Kakuta fires another effort straight at Tyton and that should be just about that.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Elche to score a third as Coro finds himself unmarked inside the Rayo box, but the Spaniard fires wide from close range. It really should be 3-0.
FULL-TIME: Elche 2-0 Rayo
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Elche running out 2-0 winners. The result has moved the hosts out of the bottom three into 17th, while Rayo remain 15th. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
