Wellington Silva did not play in either of Levante’s losses to Deportivo La Coruna and Granada during the week while Pedro Botelho was also left out for Rayo Vallecano’s 3-2 first leg Copa Del Ray defeat to Racing Santander.
Samuel Galindo: The Bolivian played the full ninety minutes for Gimnastic de Tarragona as they lost 3-2 away to Girona. The home side took the lead very early on when Corominas headed home. Gimnastic equalised just before half time through Luna but Girona restored their lead soon after the break. Longas scored an excellent chip to bring Galindo’s side level once more. In the sixty-third minute Jandro won the game with a fantastic freekick as Galindo was unable to help his team comeback for a third time.
Joel Campbell: Campbell started for Lorient as they lost 2-1 away at Marseille. Lamine Kone was sent off for tugging down Remy after half an hour, giving Marseille a big advantage with an hour left. They made use of their extra man and dominated the game, leaving Campbell struggling to get involved and he was very poor. The Costa Rican was substituted for Emeghara after an hour; this proved a good decision as the forward gave Lorient the lead after seventy-seven minutes. However, Marseille struck back through Valbuena and Lorient were reduced to nine men when Romao was sent off. A draw seemed secured but Cheyrou finally gave Marseille the lead in the fifth minute of stoppage time, heading home from a Valbuena free kick.
- credit to Patrick Tellier/Le Telegramme Lorient
Sanchez Watt: The Englishman played the first half of Sheffield Wednesday’s thrilling 4-4 draw at home to Huddersfield. Jordan Rhodes scored all four for the visitors. Watt was booked just before the break, which may have affected Megson’s decision to hook him, but it was more likely caused by the fact that despite his side had already scored two goals, Watt was struggling to get involved – the experienced Ryan Lowe was his replacement. Wednesday were winning with seconds to go but Rhodes, who had already bagged himself a hattrick, earned Huddersfield a point in the seventh minute of injury time.
Carlos Vela: The Mexican was left out of Real Sociedad’s 4-1 cup victory at home to Granada, but started in their 0-0 draw at Racing Santander. The first half was an open affair with both sides looking for a victory but despite numerous chances or both sides it ended 0-0. After Martinez was sent off early in the second half, Vela’s side were forced to adopt a more defensive approach. Unsurprisingly, the game quietened down and when Vela was replaced by Ifran, a draw looked on the cards. Racing were unable to take advantage of their extra man and the game finished goalless, with neither side getting the win they desperately needed.
Luke Freeman and Chucks Aneke: Both players played the whole match as their Stevenage side won 2-1 at home to Tranmere Rovers. Beardsley and Roberts scored for the home side and Freeman nearly added a third, only to put the ball into the side netting after being played in by Shroot. Aneke also had a solid game as Stevenage climbed to eighth in League One.
Nicklas Bendtner: After an interesting week involving numerous (alleged) crimes, including a late night escapade in Newcastle with Lee Cattermole, the Dane started on the bench in Sunderland’s 1-0 loss to Tottenham. Bendtner replaced Connor Wickham at half time after a dull first forty-five. Pavlyuchenko gave Spurs the lead after an hour and Bendtner was unable to take his one real chance to pull the Black Cats level; he miscued his volley after some good build-up play with Sessegnon.
Kyle Bartley: The centre back played the full ninety minutes in Rangers’ 2-1 victory against Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Ibrox. Carlos Bocanegra and Kyle Lafferty scored for Rangers while Shinnie scored for the away side between these strikes. Bartley had a good game at the back, making a couple of important blocks and clearances, helping Rangers to maintain their lead at the top of the SPL.
Henri Lansbury: The midfielder made his comeback from injury, coming on for the final twenty-three minutes of West Ham’s 1-0 victory at home to Barnsley. Papa Bouba Diop got the only goal of the game, heading home a Noble corner after six minutes. Lansbury helped West Ham see out the win, although not without some drama – Sam Allardyce was sent to the stands for relieving his frustration on a bottle, much in the way Wenger did at Old Trafford a few years ago. However, Allardyce chose not to make the following minutes as entertaining as Wenger did, heading to the stands with less of a fuss.
