September 23, (THEWILL) – Girona moved to the top of the La Liga table, at least temporarily, with an emphatic 5-3 victory away to Real Mallorca on Saturday. Girona maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign with their fifth win in six matches.
Vedat Muriqi gave Mallorca an early lead from the penalty spot before David Lopez scrambled in an equaliser for Girona midway through the first half. However, the hosts then ruthlessly seized control of the game with three goals in quick succession before the break through a penalty by Artem Dovbyk, and goals from Ivan Martin and Yangel Herrera.
Girona’s dominance was underlined when electric Brazilian forward Savio added a fifth goal just before the hour mark. The scoreline was given a semblance of respectability late on as Mallorca substitute Abdon Prats netted twice, but it did little to disguise the scale of the visitors’ defeat.
The emphatic away win lifts Girona to the top of the table, although reigning champions Barcelona could replace them later on Saturday, should they overcome Celta Vigo. Real Madrid, who have a 100% record so far, will attempt to reclaim first place when they face city rivals Atletico on Sunday, in the Madrid Derby.
Girona have exceeded expectations since gaining promotion from the second tier two seasons ago, playing vibrant attacking football under manager Michel. Saturday’s rout of Mallorca suggests they could maintain a push for European qualification in their second season back in the top flight.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
