Asensio eases Espanyol drop fears

Electric start

There was no time for feeling yourself into this clash between Catalans and Galicians, with both teams coming out all guns blazing and looking to draw first blood. Both sides poured forward in waves right from the off with the best chances falling the way of the visitors, with Luis Alberto looking particularly dangerous. As the half wore on, the hosts recovered from their nervy start and began to pick holes in the RC Deportivo backline.

Injury to Sidnei

The Galician's defensive set-up was thrown into disarray when Sidnei was forced off through injury. The central defender hadn't missed a minute of action so far this term, but had to give way to Laure here. Victor Sanchez del Amo shuffled his pack by shifting Fernando Navarro across to centre-back, but this was a real blow for visitors who had lost one of their key men.

Chances for both sides

From that moment on, the encounter saw both teams fashion chances, but the deadlock remained unbroken going into the break. It wasn't for a want of trying from RCD Espanyol but the hosts just didn't have their shooting boots on, whilst at the other end, Deportivo rushed things when they got up to Pau Lopez's area.

Asensio takes the pressure off

Espanyol upped things after the interval with the home side aware that a draw was much good to a side battling to claw themselves away from the drop zone. Constantin Galca's men lay siege to the visitor's goal and it wasn't long before they took the lead. Burgui headed a cross back into area and Marco Asensio, with a fine bit of skill, brought the ball down before volleying past German Lux. 

Lux heroics

The goal really brought out the best out of the Catalans. The home side now appeared to be free from their early nerves as the confidence poured through Galca's ranks in what was their best spell of the game. The hosts nearly sealed the win, but they came up against an in-form Lux in the visitor's goal. The Argentinean custodian kept his side in it on several occasions as Espanyol ultimately hung on for three precious points.