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0-1: Defeat at the Stage Front Stadium

RCD Espanyol fall to narrow defeat to CD Leganés

RCD Espanyol fell to a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of CD Leganés on Friday night.

It was a battle between the top two at the Stage Front Stadium, with Espanyol a point ahead and looking to extend their lead at the top. But it would be no mean feat against the strongest defence in the league, as Leganés defended in numbers and allowed little to pass through despite the hosts’ early persistence.

Pere Milla had Espanyol’s first close effort of the night, though the ball fell awkwardly to him and gave the visiting defence time to nullify the attack. Leganés were dangerous on the break and attacked the flanks, and in additional time almost took the lead though were denied by successive blocks from José Gragera and Brian Oliván.

A tight affair going into half-time, the start of the second half would be vital. However, it was Leganés who were quicker out of the blocks as they broke the deadlock three minutes after the restart. The hosts now needed to come from behind to maintain their top spot, with the backing of over 20,000 pericos at the Temple.  

Espanyol were struggling to find their flow, though there was no shortage of effort to get themselves back into it. Martin Braithwaite’s bullet header looked to be goalbound but was saved by Diego Conde, then a near repeat saw the Leganés goalkeeper deny the Dane moments later.

Little separated the sides going into the clash and little would separate them on the night, as Leganés held on and left Espanyol beaten at the Stage Front Stadium.