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1-0: Practical victory

Embarba and RDT produced the victorious goal against the competitive Sabadell side

Espanyol picked up the three points in the RCDE Stadium thanks to the partnership that Embarba and Raúl de Tomás (RDT) formed, who produced the only goal of the match. The whites and blues found themselves up against highly-determined visitors who created many difficulties, and fought until the end in an attempt to gain points. The victory enables Vicente Moreno’s side to contend at the top of the table again.

Other than the substitution that was forced by Miguel Llambrich’s injury, Vicente Moreno opted once again for the regular eleven lineup in recent matches, in order to end the good roll of results by their rival - CE Sabadell. The team led by Antonio Hidalgo, which must have been affected by the unfortunate events early in the first half, was loyal to their ideas in the RCDE Stadium. The harlequins wanted to challenge for possession during many periods in the match, they defended their lines well, covered the home side’s passes and didn’t hesitate to mount some threatening counter-attacks. In fact, they managed to score a goal that was disallowed due to the offside rule, and had another good scoring opportunity that resulted from another good counterattack.

Espanyol were not at ease on the pitch. Vicente Moreno’s side lacked flow in their game and barely threatened the visitor’s area during the first half. The only way of escape for the whites and blues was their tactics. Cabrera had the clearest opportunity for the home side with a fantastic header, but denied by the post. With a more vertical attack, the ‘Espanyolistas’ started to gain ground in the visitor’s area, and Melamed and Óscar Gil had a couple of chances through Sabadell’s defence just before the break. There was also time for Puado’s controversial shot that appeared to touch the hand of a Sabadell defender.

Espanyol got off to a good second half. Cabrera put the Sabadell goalkeeper’s reflexes to the test while being very much involved in the attacking play. The goal by RDT was set up from a corner in which his first opportunity at goal sent the ball into the back of the net. The visitors were quick to reply with a great opportunity by Guruzeta that was fortunately blocked by Diego López once again. Vicente Moreno’s side was now lacking some respite and saw how their rival took possession of the ball again. Only Dimata’s one-off chance took the pressure off the ‘Espanyolistas’. Despite not having a brilliant match, the truth is that Vadillo and Dimata had two really clear chances to decide the match, but as these passed by unrewarded, the whites and blues had to suffer until the end to secure the three points and move up to the top of the table again.