Troy Parrott Shines in Betis Victory Over Getafe

Troy Parrott brushed off the rust and went straight for the spectacular.

Back in Real Betis’ starting XI on Thursday night, the Ireland striker needed less than five minutes to jolt Estadio Benito Villamarín to life, almost scoring from halfway in a 1-0 win over Getafe that pushed Manuel Pellegrini’s side up to third in La Liga.

Parrott back in from the start

After watching Monday’s 2-1 victory at Villarreal from the bench, the 24-year-old Dubliner was restored to the line-up for his third start of the season. He wasted no time reminding Betis why.

Pouncing on a loose Getafe pass near the halfway line, Parrott spotted David Soria off his line and went for it. One touch, head up, then a long, audacious lob that had the keeper scrambling backwards. Soria just about got there, clawing the ball away with a fingertip at full stretch. Inches from a wonder goal, inches from the night’s headline.

Betis had control. Getafe, 15th in the table and happy to sit deep, spent long spells pinned back. The hosts, though, kept letting them off the hook. Antony twice tore into promising positions and twice lashed shots over the bar, the frustration in the stands growing with every wasted opening.

Abde strikes after slick move

The pressure finally told right on the stroke of half-time, and Parrott was at the heart of it.

Breaking out from their own half, Abde Ezzalzouli drove into midfield and slid the ball wide to Antony flying up the flank. Betis flooded forward. Parrott ghosted into the central pocket at the edge of the box, took the return pass and, instead of snatching at goal himself, rolled it calmly back across the area into Abde’s path.

Abde did the rest, drilling a low finish past Soria for 1-0 in the 45th minute. A sharp move, a cool assist, and finally a reward for Betis’ dominance.

Betis grind it out

Getafe retreated even deeper after the break, banking on surviving and stealing something late. Betis kept probing but the second goal refused to come.

Parrott, Isco and Abde all made way midway through the second half as Pellegrini shuffled his attack in search of a killer blow. The pattern stayed the same: Betis with the ball, Getafe waiting for a mistake and then launching the odd counter.

The hosts had to sweat through a late surge, with Getafe finally stepping forward in the closing stages, but Betis held firm to see out the 1-0 win.

Betis climb, Parrott’s influence grows

The victory lifts Betis to third in La Liga on 15 points, level with second-placed Real Madrid and trailing only on goal difference. Barcelona, perfect so far with six wins from six, sit three points clear at the top.

Parrott’s role in Betis’ rise is growing by the week. A fortnight ago he came off the bench at Estadio La Cartuja to score the winner against Real Madrid, handing José Mourinho’s side their first defeat of the season. Now he has his first assist, his first start back, and the trust of a coach chasing something serious.

The goals are likely to follow. The ambition clearly already has.