Las Palmas served up a methodical and effective brand of football to hold an erratic Valencia to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final. Hosts Valencia displayed most of the weaknesses on Thursday that have plagued the club this season, reports Efe.
Las Palmas pocketed an away goal that could prove decisive depending on what happens in next week's second leg on Estadio Gran Canaria. The visitors were fluid with the ball and sound on defence.
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The hosts, meanwhile, remained stuck in their recent pattern, marked by poor passing and a distinct lack of offensive quality.
Las Palmas took a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute off a free kick that Valencia midfielder Wilfried Zahibo headed into his own net. Valencia saw a lot more of the ball in the second half, but their equaliser came on the counterattack, with a goal in the 61st minute by Paco Alcacer. Energised by the goal, Valencia showed more ambition against a Las Palmas side that kept their shape and stuck to their tactics without giving up on the idea of stealing the win.
