Back

1-2: The fight goes on

A massive three points away at Rayo Vallecano keeps RCD Espanyol alive

RCD Espanyol secured a vital 2-1 win away from home against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

Luis García’s side headed to the Estadio de Vallecas in desperate need of victory, sitting four points adrift of safety at the start of the day. Fernando Calero replaced César Montes in the heart of the back five, while an injury to Martin Braithwaite midweek saw Javi Puado replace him in the starting XI.

Espanyol were struggling to get through Rayo’s low block, while the hosts went forward on the break when they could. Joselu had the first effort of the afternoon when his shot was parried away by Stole Dimitrievski, then Fernando Pacheco denied Raúl de Tomás at the other end.

The Mágico’s lead would come out of nowhere when Rayo did not clear Brian Oliván’s cross and it fell to Sergi Darder on the edge of the box, bringing it down before firing it precisely into the bottom corner to draw Espanyol ahead.

Rayo would equalise from the penalty spot three minutes shy of half-time, and although Sergi Gómez almost restored their lead instantly with his header, it was saved as the sides went into the break level and with a decisive second half to follow.

Nico Melamed had a double chance for Espanyol, first with a header from Oliván’s ball in before his long-range effort was just shy of the target. The hosts then went up and had two close efforts of their own, but Álvaro García and Isi Palazón could not capitalise.

Right on the hour mark, Espanyol went back in front with a goal that epitomised their efforts. Oliván won it back and Darder drove into the box, fouled several times before his curled shot came off the post and rebounded into the feet of Melamed, who only had to tap it into an empty net to give the Mágico a massive goal at Vallecas.

Puado could have put the match beyond doubt but could not convert one-on-one, as they went all out defence to see out the win. A crucial three points on the road put Espanyol just a point from safety with three matches to go, as the road to survival goes down to the last three finals.

--

Match information

Rayo Vallecano: Dimitrievski, Balliu, Lejeune, Catena, Fran García, Isi (Jose Pozo 87’), Santi C.V., Pathé Ciss (Unai López 73’), Álvaro (Andrés 87’), Oscar Trejo (Falcao 73’), R.D.T (Camello 67’)

RCD Espanyol: Pacheco, Óscar Gil, Cabrera, Calero (K. Bare 67’), S. Gómez (C. Montes 76’), B. Oliván, Denis Suárez, Darder (Edu Expósito 88’), Nico M.R. (Vini Souza 88’), Puado, Joselu 

Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández

Goals: 0-1 Darder 23’, 1-1 R.D.T (pen) 42’; 1-2 Nico M.R. 60’

Bookings: Oscar Trejo 40’, Catena 70’; Cabrera 39’, Óscar Gil 85’

Attendance: 12,142