MADRID — Stuttering Villarreal suffered a shock 3-2 defeat at second division Huesca after Darwin Machis’ late volley as several top flights sides lost in the first legs of their last 32 King’s Cup ties Thursday.
Following a bright start to the season it was another disappointing display by Villarreal, which has one win from seven games in La Liga, before the return at El Madrigal in two weeks.
Goals for Ponferradina’s Luka Djordjevic, William Jebor and Dmytro Khomchenovsky gave the second division side a resounding 3-0 first leg victory at home to top flight Eibar.
Malaga also suffered a surprise 2-1 loss at lower league Mirandes who scored through Alex Garcia and Lago Junior either side of a Roque Santa Cruz goal in reply.
Athletic Bilbao, though, had a comfortable 2-0 win over Linense with goals from Kike Sola and Aymeric Laporte.
Las Palmas have the edge in their top flight tie against Real Sociedad with Felix Asdrubal and Hernan Santana on target following Bruma’s opener for a deserved 2-1 home victory.
Elsewhere, Espanyol’s Mamadou Sylla put the host ahead but Levante’s Roger Marti secured a 1-1 draw.
Huesca’s Juan Antonio Anquela was able to celebrate victory over Villarreal in his first match back in charge of a team which lies one place above the relegation zone in Segunda A.
He has plenty of experience of giant killings having coached lower league Alcorcon to a cup win over Real Madrid in 2009.
Luis Fernandez fired Huesca ahead after three minutes when the Villarreal defense failed to clear a free-kick and the home side controlled the first half.
Matias Nahuel brought Villarreal level in the 51st but two minutes later Fran Merida slotted home a penalty for Huesca after Mateo Musacchio upended Tyronne Del Pino.
The game was wide open and Cedric Bakambu brought Villarreal level at 2-2 just before the hour after a backheel by Manuel Trigueros but in the 75th minute Machis restored the home side’s lead from the right of the area.
In added time Huesca’s Christian Fernandez was given a straight red card for a two-footed challenge on Nahuel.
Barcelona is through to the last 16 after a 6-1 thrashing of Villanovense Wednesday.
Onuoha lifts QPR
Nedum Onuoha gave QPR a dramatic 1-0 win over Reading Thursday as former Chelsea star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink prepares to take over as the Championship club’s new manager.
Hasselbaink, who has led minnow Burton to the top of League One, is expected to be named as QPR boss Friday according to reports and he will take charge of a team on the up thanks to Onuoha’s late header at the Madejski Stadium. — Agencies
