Chivas squeak by Necaxa to grab lackluster victory

Chivas finally got back to their winning way by defeating Necaxa by a 1-0 score. It was their first victory in more than a month in Liga MX but their performance was far from what was expected and they were lucky to get the victory. Chivas will now travel north to face Monterrey in a stadium where they had some good results. Necaxa will host last placed FC Juarez.

The 1st half started with Chivas giving a start to Jordan Carrillo while Necaxa surprised by not going out from the start with Julian Carranza. Roberto Alvarado got off a left footed shot from outside the area that went just wide. Alvarado would get the ball and made a run into the area where he got off a left footed shot but Necaxa's goalkeeper, Javier Orantes, would make a good save of the close range shot. Leonel Calderon got off a left footed shot from outside the area that went well wide. Richard Ledezma got off a right footed shot from outside the area that went just wide. The halftime whistle blew and the fans in the stadium booed after such a terrible display of football from both teams.

The 2nd half started with Chivas subbing out Jordan Carrillo and Leonel Calderon for Santiago Sandoval and Hugo Camberos. From outside the area, Emilio Rodriguez got off a left footed shot that went well wide. After getting the ball in the area, Ricardo Marin got off a right footed shot that went wide. A right footed shot from Camberos forced a save from Orantes although the play was ruled to be offside. Necaxa subbed out Juan Valencia and Emilio Rodriguez for Julian Caranza and Owen Gonzalez. Chivas subbed out Diego Campillo and Richard Ledezma for Bryan Alonso Gonzalez and Kevin Castañeda. Off a corner kick, Agustin Oliveros rose to get off a close range header that was brilliantly saved by Chivas's goalkeeper Raul Rangel, who then cleared the ball off his feet before Carranza could get to the rebound. A cross form Sandoval turned into a shot that Orantes easily saved. Mauro Zaleta got off a left footed shot that forced another good save from Rangel. Chivas subbed out Efrain Alvarez for Jesus Hernandez. A shot from outside the area by Castañeda would go so close that it moved the net and most in the stadium thought he had scored. After getting past a defender, Alvarado got off a good cross that Agustin Oliveros would deflect past Orantes to score an awful own goal that gave Chivas the 1-0 lead. It was a terrible play from Oliveros as Orantes would have easily handled the ball had Oliveros not tried to clear it. Necaxa subbed out Lorenzo Faravelli for Joshua Palacios. A give and go ended with Carranza getting the ball in the area but his right footed shot went well wide. Gonzalez got off right footed shot wide open in the area but his volley was terrible and it easily fell to Rangel. Necaxa subbed out Diego Ochoa for Missael Pedroza. Off a free kick, the ball was headed just out of reach of Emilio Martinez, who would have had a tap in chance had he gotten to it. Javier Ruiz got off a great right footed shot from way outside the area but Rangel made a wonderful save. Chivas held on to the win although their fan still disapproved of such a mediocre display by their team.

Chivas got their first win since September 13 against Pumas. While Chivas got the victory, it seemed an unfair result as Necaxa had done a good enough job that a tie would have been more deserved. Chivas only scored because of an own goal and created few opportunities. Chivas had a hero on goalkeeper Rangel as they held on for dear life against a Necaxa side that is now in 17th place. Chivas will travel north to face Monterrey in Estadio BBVA, a stadium where they have had a lot of success to the surprise of many. Necaxa will travel home where they will host the last placed FC Juarez.