Deportivo make sure of safety at El Madrigal

Early Deportivo dominance
Victor's men knew the score going to El Madrigal and played with real conviction. Well aware that they needed at least a point to guarantee survival, they set about their business dutifully. The visitors enjoyed the lion's share of possession at that point and it wasn't long before chances started to materialise. Lucas Perez and Luis Alberto were linking up menacingly and it was to them that the first clear opportunities fell.

Villarreal enter equation
Although Deportivo were in the ascendancy early on, things evened up as the game wore on and Villarreal began to create some danger of their own. Leo Baptistao, in particular, was guilty of spurning a highly promising opening. Baptistao and Adrian formed a dynamic duo to rival the aforementioned Perez and Alberto, but a combination of poor finishing and some alert goalkeeping by Manu prevented the hosts from getting a breakthrough.

 | 0-2 | @RCDeportivo celebrate Fajr's first-half goal.

Lucas Pérez grabbed their second. #VILvRCD pic.twitter.com/QUQ41Dk3Xj

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) May 8, 2016

Fajr's fabulous opener
Just when Villarreal were enjoying their strongest spell, the away side forged ahead. Fede Cartabia cut the ball back to Fajr on the edge of the area and the Morocco international curled an inch-perfect, first-time strike past Mariano Barbosa to give Deportivo the advantage.

Lucas seals the spoils
Depor increased their lead and took another step towards safety in the second half. Not for the first time, it was Perez who bagged a big goal. The pacy attacker raced on to a long ball, skinning Victor Ruiz and Daniele Bonera in the process, before clipping home at the near post.

Safe and sound
The 2-0 win was enough for Deportivo to finally make certain that they will be back in the Liga BBVA next term. What's more, they could still have a hand in this season's title race, as they round off their league programme by entertaining Real Madrid at Riazor next week.

 Saved! @RCDeportivo, @RealBetis_en @RCDEspanyol & @GranadaCdeF_en have assured their top-flight status. #LaLiga pic.twitter.com/0QmHsyO46B

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) May 8, 2016