Nigerian striker Umar Sadiq started the new year with a bang, netting a hat-trick for Almeria in the win against Ponferradina on Sunday.
Umar’s hat-trick was enough to guide his side to a 3-1 victory at the Estadio Mediterraneo.
He scored the first of his three goals in the third minute and doubled his effort in the 21st minute.
Umar completed his hat-trick in 29th minute as Almeria cruised to a comfortable first half lead.
The 23-year-old was substituted after the hour mark and was replaced by Juan Villar.
He has now scored nine league goals for Almeria, who are now third on the Spanish Liga with 41 points from 20 matches.
José Manuel Gomes’s side are just one point behind Mallorca and Espanyol, who are joint leaders with 42 points from same number of matches.