Fabio Silva celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the LaLiga match between FC Barcelona and UD Las Palmas
Fabio Silva celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the LaLiga match between FC Barcelona and UD Las Palmas
Fabio Silva fired UD Las Palmas to victory over Barcelona to pull off an impressive upset.
The Canary Island side started the day hovering the relegation zone but twice took the lead against their top-of-the table Catalan opposition. Ex-Barca and Everton ace Sandro Ramirez opened the scoring for the visitors at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, where Barcelona are playing while the Camp Nou is being renovated, before Hansi Flick's team got back on level terms through Raphinha.
On loan from Wolves, Silva broke free of Barcelona's backline before coolly finish past Inaki Pena Sotorres. The 22-year-old has now bagged five goals in 11 La Liga apperances.
"My fifth goal is not the most important thing. I congratulate all my teammates," said Silva following the game. "The team needed this win after the defeat against Mallorca.
"I always try to give my best to help the team. I am very happy to help the team not only with the goal but with the work on the field."
Wolves will be pleased to see Silva performing well after struggling to offload him over the summer. The Portugal international has only managed five goals in 72 appearances for the Midlands side after signing for £37million from Porto as Wolves broke their transfer record.
Silva has also endured difficult loans at Rangers and PSV Eindhoven, and struggled to find another permanent home despite holding a desire to leave Molineux. The young striker was not involved in Wolves' Premier League squads before joining Las Palmas.
The La Liga side proved to be suitors, though they were not required to pay a fee or agree to any obligation to sign the player, bar paying his salary for the duration of his loan. His form has already earned an international call-up and Wolves will hope it can spark interest in his services come next summer, with Silva only having 18 months remaining on his current deal.
For the moment Las Palmas have provided at least a part-answer to the problems of Silva and Wolves. They may struggle to action a permanent move that would see the Premier League team recoup some of their fee however.
Silva said before his summer move: "It is no secret that I do not want to continue at Wolverhampton. We both agree, now we have to try to find the best situation so that we're both happy.
"I have already told my agent I want to play in Spain. I'm telling you honestly, it is the destination that I would love. I like the culture, the country, league football... I think my style fits very well with Spanish (football)."
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