LaLiga: Real Betis keep up Champions League push with 3-1 win over Girona

Real Betis moved to within a point of UEFA Champions League qualification following a 3-1 win away at Girona in LaLiga, as the hosts lost for a fourth consecutive top-flight match for the first time under Michel.

Having been beaten in the league last time out, Betis made the perfect start in their attempt to return to winning ways when, in the sixth minute, the Girona defence was powerless to stop Johnny Cardoso heading home Isco’s corner.

The home side failed to mount a meaningful response until the 29th minute, as Yaser Asprilla took aim from the edge of the area and provided Adrian with a test of his reflexes.

Before a 3-2 loss last season, Los Verdiblancos had won their previous four at Girona, and their love for the Estadi Montilivi looked to have been rekindled with two more goals before the break.

First, Romain Perraud bombed down the left flank and drilled a cross over to Antony, who guided the ball past Paulo Gazzaniga with a side-foot volley.

Three minutes later, Abde Ezzalzouli had an effort saved, but he kept his composure to collect the rebound and clip the ball onto the head of the incoming Isco, who capped his 33rd birthday with a goal.

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The birthday boy should have had a second assist in near-identical fashion to his first soon after half-time, but Ezzalzouli headed over from the corner.

10 minutes in, the Blanquivermells had their best chance of the game when Daley Blind slipped the ball through to Portu – Adrian took some of the sting out of the shot, allowing Natan to scramble back and clear off the line.

The goalkeepers’ busy nights continued with a double save from Gazzaniga to deny Antony, then Cucho Hernandez, as Manuel Pellegrini’s side failed to add to their first-half total, before Adrian used his foot to prevent Viktor Tsygankov finding a sliver of hope.

Five minutes from time, Girona got on the board when Betis failed to clear a corner and Cristhian Stuani bundled it in, but it was too little too late for the side who are now 10 LaLiga matches without a win for the first time in club history, staying just three points above the drop zone.

Betis, meanwhile, have lost just once in nine league outings.