Umar Sadiq denied second Almeria hat-trick in Alcorcon rout

The Nigerian striker was in his element on Friday night as he helped himself to two first-half goals to power his side to the automatic promotion places

Umar Sadiq found the back of the net twice and could have been awarded a third goal as Almeria humbled Alcorcon 4-0 at the Estadio Santo Domingo.

After his excellent debut campaign in the Segunda Division, Sadiq had started this season right from where he stopped last term, netting two goals and adding an assist in his first five league matches.

And he needed just five minutes to hand Almeria the lead away to Alcorcon on Friday evening before adding a second ten minutes later.

And he was set to complete his hat-trick when the visitors were awarded a penalty in the 37th minute. But Sadiq's goal was chalked off and awarded as Dani Jiménez's own goal after the ball hit the post before hitting the Alcorcon goalkeeper on its way into the net. 

It would have been the second hat-trick of his Almeria career, having netted all the goals in La Rojiblancos' 3-1 defeat of Ponferradina on January 3.

Still, the former Nigerian youth international was keen on getting his third goal, and he went close again in first-half stoppage-time when his audacious shot from near the centre circle only struck the woodwork.

Joan Francesc Sicilia's men added a fourth goal courtesy of an Alejandro Pozo effort midway through the second half.

The win momentarily lifts Almeria to second on the La Liga Smartbank table, one point behind Sporting Gijon, who make the trip to Eibar later on Sunday evening.