LaLiga: Rayo consigned Alavés to first home defeat of the season

Rayo Vallecano climbed out of the bottom three in LaLiga on Monday night after beating Alaves 1-0 at the Estadio Mendizorroza, succumbing the Basque side to their first home defeat of the season in the process.

Just one month ago, Rayo were five points from safety but their incredible form in 2019 has seem them leapfrog Celta Vigo, with the Galicians dropping to 18th in the table.

Enigmatic striker Raùl de Tomàs scored Rayo's lone goal on the night in the 47th minute.

There was a moment of controversy in almost 30 minutes later, in the 76th minute, as Alavés believed they should have been awarded a penalty but VAR did not seem to agree.

Rayo are now 17th in the table on 23 points, while Celta are on 21 and Villarreal, in 19th, are on 18. Alavés, meanwhile, remain 5th but their form appears to have dipped in 2019.