Troy Parrott did not ease his way back into Real Betis colours. He tore straight into the night.
Restored to the starting XI on Thursday, the Ireland striker set the tone for a 1-0 win over Getafe that pushed Manuel Pellegrini’s side up to third in La Liga and underlined his growing influence in Seville.
Early audacity from Parrott
Barely five minutes had passed when Parrott almost produced a goal to replay all season. Spotting a loose Getafe pass near halfway, the Dubliner stepped in, lifted his head and went for it – a bold, arcing lob that had David Soria scrambling backwards in panic. The Getafe goalkeeper just about clawed it away at full stretch, fingertips denying what would have been a spectacular strike.
Betis fed off that intent. They controlled the ball, pinned Getafe back and asked constant questions, even if the final answer kept sailing over the bar. Antony twice lashed efforts high from promising positions, the frustration in the stands growing as dominance failed to turn into a lead.
Betis finally break through
The pressure finally told on the stroke of half-time – and Parrott’s fingerprints were all over it.
Betis broke from deep, Abde Ezzalzouli carrying the ball out of midfield before sliding it wide to Antony on the right. As the Brazilian drove forward, Parrott drifted cleverly into the channel at the edge of the area, took the return and, instead of snatching at goal, showed composure. One touch, head up, and a measured ball rolled back across the box into Abde’s path.
Abde did the rest, drilling low past Soria for 1-0 in the 45th minute. The stadium erupted; the move had sliced Getafe apart, and Parrott had turned provider at the key moment.
Getafe sit deep, Betis shut the door
Getafe responded by sinking even deeper after the break, content to absorb and wait for a late swing. Betis hunted the second that would kill the contest, but the spaces shrank and the tempo dipped.
Pellegrini did not wait to be reactive. Just after the hour mark, he reshaped his attack, withdrawing Parrott, Isco and Abde to inject fresh legs and different angles into the forward line. The intent was clear: finish the job, don’t invite trouble.
Getafe, though, finally emerged from their shell in the closing stages. A flurry of late pressure forced Betis back towards their own box, crosses slung in and nerves briefly frayed. The hosts held their line, defended the area with conviction and saw it out. No second goal came, but none was needed.
Betis climb, Parrott’s stock rises
The win nudged Betis up to third in La Liga on 15 points, level with Real Madrid and behind only on goal difference. Barcelona sit top with a perfect six wins from six and 18 points, but Betis are firmly wedged into the early title conversation.
For Parrott, this was another step in an increasingly impressive start to life in Spain. A fortnight ago, he came off the bench at Estadio La Cartuja and struck the winner against Real Madrid, handing José Mourinho’s side their first defeat of the season in his very first home appearance.
Now, back in the starting line-up, he nearly scores from halfway and delivers the assist for the only goal of the game.
Betis are climbing. Parrott is rising with them.
