Eibar claim three precious points in routine win
Fran Rico netted the Armeros' 100th La Liga goal
A ninth-minute Fran Rico goal, Eibar's 100th in the top flight, secured three precious points for the Armeros against a Celta side who improved after the break, but failed to really trouble the hosts throughout.
José Luis Mendilibar's charges made an excellent start to the game, as the shell-shocked visitors were unable to halt the Eibar juggernaut.
It didn’t take the hosts long to get their noses in front when, with barely nine minutes on the clock, Adrián met a Sergi Enrich centre from the right and although his header flew back of the crossbar, Fran Rico was on hand to slam home the rebound into the far corner. It was a fine strike and one worth of marking the club's 100th top-flight goal.
Eibar continued to probe and carved out several clear-cut chances, but were unable to make them count.
Gradually, the Vigo-based outfit gained control of the game, although they barely managed to make any inroads into the hosts' box, with the Eibar backline providing Asier Riego with good protection.
On the stroke of half-time, Riesgo pulled off an outstanding save from Théo Bongonda when the winger found himself clean through.
The second period saw Celta play the ball around well as they enjoyed more possession in the Eibar half, however the home side's solid rearguard action saw the visitors' barely afforded any chances. As the clocked ticked down, the Armeros' lead was rarely threatened and Mendilibar's side claimed victory to put themselves onto 18 points after 12 matchdays.
The Eibar celebrations had kicked off earlier on in the day at a lunch held at the Frontón Astelena restaurant to pay tribute to former players, coaches, presidents, board members and staff, in an event attended by almost 300 guests.
All of the attendees later made their way over to Ipurua to mark the full opening of the East Stand. Two of the club's veterans, goalkeeper, Félix Arrizabalaga 'Aputxiano', who played for the club in the 1950s, and ex-player, Ana Rodríguez, got the on-field proceedings underway by taking the honorary kick-off.
The Armeros' victory was the cherry on the top of a day of celebrations in Eibar.