First Division - Day 28

Espanyol 2 – Rayo Vallecano 1

Espanyol: Pau López; Javi López, Alvaro González, Oscar Duarte, Rubén Duarte; Víctor Sánchez, Pape Diop, Abraham (Enzo Roco 75’); Marco Asensio, Gerard Moreno (Caicedo 68’), Burgui (Hernán Pérez 61’). 4-3-3.
Rayo: Yoel; Tito, Diego Llorente, Crespo (Quini 52’), Nacho (Ozbiliz 54’); Raúl Baena, Trashorras; Embarba, Joni Montiel (Javi Guerra 65’), Bebé; Manucho. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 11. Abraham. Squeezed shot between Yoel and post from Asensio centre.
1-1. 68. Bebé. Cut in from left of area and struck angled shot wide of Pau López.
2-1. 77. Hernán Pérez. Volleyed shot past keeper after Roco cross headed clear.

Yellow cards: Crespo 14’, Víctor Sánchez 23’, 89’, Embarba 29’, Raúl Baena 69’, Javi López 80’, Pape Diop 89’, Javi Guerra 89’, Alvaro 91’ / red cards: Víctor Sánchez 89’.

Espanyol moved five points clear of the drop zone after beating Rayo Vallecano 2-1 on Monday evening. Abraham opened the scoring early on, and only a good tackle by Tito and a save by Yoel prevented Burgui and Víctor Sánchez from adding to the lead before the break. After the restart Burgui wasted a couple of chances, and Quini cleared a lob from Marco Asensio off the line with the keeper beaten. With twenty minutes to go though Bebé picked up the ball on the left of the area to cut in and beat Pau López, and soon afterwards he fired a long shot just over the crossbar. However Hernán Pérez volleyed the locals back in front after Enzo Roco’s centre was headed clear, and the Catalans held on despite having Víctor Sánchez sent off for a second bookable offence with two minutes left on the clock. The defeat leaves Rayo just outside of the bottom three, above Granada on goal difference.