Real Mallorca 1-1 Valencia

A positive second half performance saw Real Mallorca come from behind to snatch a point from Valencia in injury time. Tomer Hemed proved his reliability from the penalty spot with his third of the season, all from twelve yards, four minutes into stoppage time.

Joaquín Caparrós, in his first game in charge, opted for a 4-4-2 diamond formation with B team player Pedro Bigas continuing at left back. There was no space for Alejandro Alfaro or Sergio Tejera in the starting XI with Pep Martí holding the defensive role and Tomás Pina playing in the attacking midfield role.

In a first half display which clearly saw Valencia as the stronger team, the away side took the lead late in proceedings. Mallorca once again failed to learn from previous mistakes and after poor defending at a corner, Rami was allowed to bundle the ball home. Aouate embarrassed himself by coming for the ball but then appearing to get lost leaving the goalmouth defended by Zuiverloon only.

The second half was a different story as the home side took control. Caparrós had obviously ordered Tomer Hemed to work on his heading as the Israeli was supplied with several crosses from the wings.

An early Chori Castro corner saw Tomer Hemed meet the header which beat Vicente Guaita, but unfortunately the crossbar too. A similar passage of play saw Castro whip in another cross for Hemed to head over again.

Hemed found himself with another great opportunity as Víctor Casadesús raced to the by-line and pulled the ball back. The Israeli’s diving header couldn’t find the target though.

But deep into stoppage time, a handball gave Mallorca the perfect chance to steal a point. Hemed coolly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Mallorca a deserved point.

Following the game, Unai Emery said that the result was ‘fair’ whilst Caparrós said ‘we must continue to be the team we were in the second half’.

The unexpected point keeps Mallorca firmly mid-table in eleventh whilst Málaga’s slip up against Levante means Valencia stay in fifth.

Teams

Real Mallorca (4-4-2): Aouate; Zuiverloon (Cendrós HT), Chico , Ramis, Bigas ; Pereira, Martí, Pina (Tejera 67), Castro; Hemed, Víctor (Alfaro 80).
Substitutes: Calatayud (gk); Cendrós; João Victor, Tissone, Aki, Alfaro, Tejera.
Goal: Hemed 90 (+4) pen.

Valencia (4-4-1-1): Guaita; Bruno , Rami, Ruiz, Alba; Hernández, Albelda , Parejo (Topal  82), Piatti (Feghouli  63); Canales; Soldado (Aduriz 86).
Substitutes: Alves (gk); Mathieu, Barragán; Feghouli, Topal; Jonas, Aduriz.
Goal: Rami 38.

Referee: José Luis Paradas Romero (ESP).
Stadium: Iberostar Estadi, Palma de Mallorca.
Attendance: 14,329.

You can watch the goals of the game thanks to Goals Arena.