Conor Gallagher scores first Atletico Madrid goal to continue perfect start in Spain as fans chant former Chelsea star’s name
Conor Gallagher was the star of the stands after opening his record for Atletico Madrid in a 3-0 win over Valencia on Sunday evening.
Fans dressed in red and white waved their flags and chanted Gallagher’s name after the former Chelsea star opened the scoring in the first half.
It was a fine goal from inside the penalty area, Gallagher sliding the ball past the advancing Jan Oblak after midfielder Rodrigo De Paul had passed it to him.
Antoine Griezmann added a second goal and Julian Alvarez also scored his first in injury time after joining from Manchester City for £81million in the summer.
The win moves Atlético into second place in LaLiga and they remain unbeaten after five games, with Gallagher having won all three of his games so far.
Conor Gallagher scored his first goal for Atletico Madrid, prompting chants of his name on Sunday
The midfielder has won all three of his games for Atletico since leaving Chelsea this summer
Julian Alvarez also opened his account when Diego Simeone’s team finished second in the LaLiga standings
He will get his first taste of the Madrid derby later this month when Real visit the Metropolitano, where he will face compatriot Jude Bellingham.
Gallagher, 24, signed a five-year contract when he joined from boyhood club Chelsea in a £34million move this summer.
In a long story, his transfer was initially halted after he agreed personal terms when the Blues’ move for Samu Omorodion from Atlético fell through.
Gallagher returned to Cobham to train independently and nervously await whether the deal would be completed.
When Enzo Maresca’s side signed Joao Felix from Atletico for £42.7million, he was finally able to make the move to the Spanish capital.
Atletico announced Gallagher’s arrival online with a bizarre image of a pitbull, a reference to a section of Chelsea fans who called Gallagher a dog due to his willingness to press and win the ball.
Many see the merger of Gallagher and manager Diego Simeone as a perfect stylistic match.
Fans were quick to show their appreciation for Gallagher after he scored the opening goal
By scoring against Valencia, the midfielder also earned the obscure honour of becoming the third-youngest Englishman to score in La Liga this decade.
Only Jude Bellingham and Mason Greenwood scored at a younger age in LaLiga in the 2000s.