The two sides have been flying high in the opening weeks of the campaign in the Segunda Division, but La Union edged their closely fought encounter thanks in no small part to their Nigerian import

Umar Sadiq yet again was Almeria’s talisman as the Nigerian forward scored the crucial second goal in his side’s 3-1 win over Tenerife at the Estadio Mediterraneo on Thursday night. 

The battle between third and fourth in the Spanish Segunda Division was always going to be a tough one, and it was no surprise that after 45 minutes, none of the two sides had been able to breach each other’s defence.

But Almeria showed why they are the best attacking team in the division, as the home side drew the first blood midway through the second half courtesy of Largie Ramazani’s converted penalty kick.

In Sadiq, La Union boast arguably the best player in the league, and the 24-year-old showed why he comes so highly rated with the game’s second goal just three minutes after the first.

It is Sadiq’s third goal in seven days, following his brace in the 4-0 demolition of Alcorcon last weekend. The goal, his fifth of the season, also sends him to the top of the goalscorers chart, one more than Eibar’s Stoichkov.

Manchester City and Bayern Munich have recently been joined by Chelsea and Liverpool in keeping Sadiq under their transfer watch, and the Nigerian striker’s fine form is the best way to alert them of his quality.

Samuel Shashoua reduced the deficit for Tenerife in the 81st minute, but a late own goal from Nikola Sipcic ensured there would be no nervy dying minutes for the home side.