A controversial goal from Rodri gave Almeria maximum points against Real Valladolid in La Liga this evening.

The hosts threatened for the first time in the 20th minute when Fernando Soriano picked out Aleix Vidal inside the box, and the striker tested Diego Marino in the away goal.

Almeria carved out another goalscoring opportunity in the 34th minute, Soriano lining up Liverpool loanee Suso inside the box, but his first touch let him down.

They took the lead four minutes later under controversial circumstances as Rodri turned the ball in using his arm and the referee, failing to spot the offence, allowed the goal to stand.

The home side continued to create the better chances in the second period and almost doubled their lead in the 69th minute, when Vidal's effort was parried by Marino and Rodri failed to put away the rebound under pressure.

Valladolid's hopes of staging a fightback were dashed in the 76th minute as Patrick Ebert was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

There was still time for the visitors to stage another attack, with substitute Valdet Rama finding space inside the box and letting fly in the 83rd minute, only for Verza to produce a block at the final moment.