🎥 Carlos Vela on the spot as LAFC account for Houston Dynamo | OneFootball

Carlos Vela converted two first-half penalties as LAFC eased to victory over Houston Dynamo on Sunday.

Scorers: Vela 8′ (pen), 45+4′ (pen), Hollingshead 52′; Baird 24′

The hosts got off to the perfect start when Denis Bouanga was dragged back in the area for a stone wall penalty.

Carlos Vela failed from 12 yards against Real Salt Lake a fortnight ago, but made no mistake this time as he sent Houston stopper Steve Clarke the wrong way.

Houston responded positively to that early setback and former LAFC man Corey Baird levelled the match midway through the first half.

Adalberto Carrasquilla’s vertical pass found Baird in space and the winger controlled brilliantly before flicking a finish past the advancing Maxime Crépeau.

The Dynamo then came agonisingly close to taking the lead as Sebastián Ferreira’s header bounced off the crossbar and behind to safety.

Vela then converted his second spot kick of the game in first-half stoppage time, placing his shot to the same side after Fafà Picault had been deemed guilty of a hand ball.

The Black and Gold built on that boost after the interval with Ryan Hollingshead rifling to the net after a prolonged period of pressure deep in Houston territory.

With top spot in the Western Conference confirmed on Saturday, the win moves LAFC closer to securing the Supporters’ Shield.

The result makes little difference to Houston, as they lie second from bottom in the West.