Real Oviedo 2 Gimnastic 0

Oviedo back to winning ways

Real Oviedo returned to winning ways after picking up maximum points in a fine display against fellow promoted side Gimnastic at the Carlos Tartiere. The damage was done in the first half after two terrific strikes from Kone and Susaeta deciding the points in this match as Oviedo ran out 2-0 winners.

Sergio Egea made two changes from last weeks defeat at Numancia and they were both in attacking positions. Linares came in for Toche and Hervias made way for Borja Valle who started his first game since mid-September after recovering from injury.

Before the game, like all games round Europe this weekend there was a minute’s silence following the horrific events in Paris on Friday night.

The game got underway and it was the visitors who carved out the first chance with former Betis player Emana forcing Esteban into a smart save early on. The experienced keeper seemed to be following on from last week’s performance with another fine stop.

It was Oviedo who struck first though and it was a terrific goal. Carlos Pena who adds so much in an attacking sense down the left hand side fed the ball to Susaeta. He whipped in a left footed cross and there was Kone from 10 yards to hit a first time volley that was past Reina in the Nastic goal before he had chance to see it. It was a fantastic strike from the Ivorian.

The lead nearly didn’t last long as Nastic could and should have equalised two minutes later when Xavi Molina somehow headed wide from a corner. He was unmarked and in the 6 yard box. It was an amazing miss. A few minutes later and Nastic went close again from another corner. This time it was De La Esplada who met with his head but thankfully for Oviedo it came back off the woodwork.

Nastic were made to pay for those misses as on 38 minutes Oviedo made it 2-0 and again it was a superb strike. Kone was fouled outside the area by Martinez. Up stepped Susaeta and as is almost the norm from these situations the ball ended up in the back of the net via the right hand post. It was another superb hit from a player who delivers time and time again.

Nastic rallied though before the half was out and only another superb save by Esteban to deny Palanca after Emana had played him in kept the score at 2-0 at the interval.

Oviedo were on top in the second half and only a miss-hit from Borja Valle denied a wonderful team goal on the hour mark. Linares moments later was close to getting on the end of a delicious through ball from Jon Erice but the ball ran agonizingly inches past him and through to a grateful Reira in the Nastic goal.

Oviedo were in complete control by now and restricted the visitors to no real chances as they closed down and defended manfully as a team. It was great to watch the desire. Nastic huffed and puffed in the last 20 minutes but seemed to have ran out of ideas. Only a last ditch tackle from Bouzon as Kone was about to pull the trigger following a swift counter attack kept the score line down to 2-0.

The whistle sounded and in the end you have to say Oviedo were comfortable winners. It was a valuable 3 points as the league is so close. We started the day just 2 points ahead of the relegation zone yet after the win we lie just 1 point off the automatic promotion spots. It’s shaping up to be a tight season where every point is so valuable. We now have two consecutive away games starting on Saturday with a trip to Huesca.
Hala Oviedo!