Partey helps Almeria to relegation lifeline

Thomas Partey helped UD Almeria to a 2-0 triumph over fellow strugglers Eibar near the foot of the Liga BBVA table—it’s a result that gives them a fighting chance of avoiding the drop.

With only five games left in the Spanish season, time is running out for Partey and Almeria to pull themselves clear of danger.

A fortnight ago, Almeria looked to be on the up, following a 3-0 victory over Granada, however, their momentum was lost with a 2-0 defeat to mid-table Rayo Vallecano last weekend.

In this context, it was imperative that Sergi Barjuan’s side claimed the maximum three points in front of their home fans at the Juegos Mediterraneos on Sunday against an Eibar side featuring veteran Ghana midfielder Derek Boateng.

They didn’t disappoint, and it took them only eight minutes to open the score.

Congolese forward Thievy Bifouma gave his side the lead, and indeed, was the game’s outstanding individual. He would have had another just after the break but could only rattle the woodwork when played in by Jonathan Zongo.

The home side guaranteed the win on 68 minutes when Verza converted from the spot after Wellington Silva was fouled in the box.

While Almeria will be boosted, and looking forward after their win, Boateng and his teammates cannot ignore the fact that they have won just one of their last 15 matches.

Partey and co. have now moved out of the drop zone—replaced by Deportivo la Coruna—and they now sit in 17th, two points off the drop, but level on points with their opponents on Sunday who are up in 16th.

The 21-year-old was a key presence in the air for Almeria—winning four of his aerial battles—and also managed two tackles, three interceptions and two clearances, according to WhoScored.

By contrast, Boateng won only two aerial battles, contributed three tackles, and two interceptions, but no clearances.