Gael Kakuta scored with four minutes to play to give Rayo Vallecano de Madrid a 1-0 win at UD Almeria in La Liga on Monday.
The forward, who is on loan from Chelsea, used one touch to volley home Alberto Bueno’s well-placed cross after Manucho had headed the ball forward to start the decisive move.
Almeria created several scoring chances in the first half, only to squander them all.
Photo: EPA
Jonathan Zongo fired high in the 21st minute, before goalkeeper Cristian Alvarez stretched to save Tomer Hemed’s strike and make amends for his errant pass that led to Almeria’s best opportunity to score.
Rayo’s second straight win lifted them to 10th place.
Almeria remained winless at home this season and on the brink of the relegation zone.
“It’s obvious that we let too many chances get away and we ended up paying the price, but if we have to lose, let us lose this way,” Almeria midfield Fernando Soriano said.
“We showed desire and courage and this is the way forward,” he said.
Real Madrid top the table after 13 rounds. Barcelona are two points adrift, with defending champions Atletico Madrid trailing the pacesetters by four points.
The league resumes at the weekend after a midweek slate of Copa del Rey games.
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