Real Oviedo 1 Lugo 1

Late equaliser rescues deserved point

Real Oviedo came back to rescue a point against Lugo at a very wet Carlos Tartiere. Hector Verdes the hero netting in the 88th minute after almost constant second half pressure.

Coach Fernando Hierro kept faith with the same eleven that won away in Murcia last week meaning fit again Michu had to do with a place on the bench.

Oviedo had the ball in the net within the opening five minutes however Linares effort was ruled offside in a close decision. It was the visitors who took the lead though on 12 minutes when Pedraza's low cross was stroked home by midfielder Seoane from the edge of the box to shock the home side and silence the stadium. Amazingly it was the first goal we had conceded since the 2-2 draw with Numancia on the 2nd October.

The remainder of the half was scrappy as the conditions didn’t help nor did some of the Lugo player’s antics. There were some questionable tactics from the visitors in order to break the flow of the game including various over reactions to tackles and feigning injuries. This seemed to frustrate the Oviedo players more and more as the half went on. Verdes was booked for a wild challenge just before the interval. Oviedo were really struggling to create any chances. The closest they came was a penalty appeal on the half hour mark when Rocha went down in the area. It looked like he kicked the defender rather than got kicked. You have seen them given though. Lugo had the best chance just before half time, but thankfully Joselu prodded Jordi's through ball wide.

It was the let off Oviedo needed and as has often been the case this season, the performance improved drastically after the break. Oviedo upped the tempo, moved the ball quicker. The full backs pushed up the pitch further and inevitably chances began to come. Toche had three quick fire chances early in the second half. Twice heading wide from a corner and also lobbing a through ball over the keeper but it also cleared the cross bar. Oviedo were playing well and causing panic in the visitors defence but somehow they were standing firm. Sub Ortiz fired over after another goalmouth scramble and Linares headed a cross wide. You were beginning the get the feeling it wasn’t to be Oviedo's day but on 88 minutes the breakthrough finally arrived. It was Hector Verdes who side footed home after Lugo failed to properly clear a free kick and it was relief all round the stadium. The goal had been coming all half and was fully deserved. It keeps Oviedo in a play off place in what is an extremely tight league meaning draws are not quite as disappointing as they could be. Next week we are on the road as we travel to Huesca.

　

John Mothershaw