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2-1: Three points
RCD Espanyol fight out a much-needed and well-deserved win against Villarreal B
RCD Espanyol secured a crucial 2-1 win against Villarreal B on Saturday.
Back at the Stage Front Stadium chasing a first win of 2024, Espanyol came quickly out of the blocks with Pere Milla unable to hit the target early on. The opener would come on 17 minutes as Omar El Hilali found Martin Braithwaite in the box, who turned, shot and found the back of the net for his 10th goal of the season.
Espanyol kept up the intensity and it paid off when they were awarded a penalty, awarded for a foul on Milla on the edge of the box. Braithwaite stepped up and slotted it home for his second and the Mágico’s second of the evening, putting them in control of the match and with valuable momentum.
Braithwaite was now chasing his hat-trick and almost got it from a set piece, but Villarreal keeper Miguel Morro denied him at the bottom corner. The visitors took the chance to go up the other end and pull one back, cutting Espanyol’s lead in half going into the break.
The second half was far more uneasy than the first for Espanyol, as Villarreal searched for the equaliser. Alberto del Moral had a clear shot on goal but Fernando Pacheco stood strong to stop him, as they piled on the pressure onto the white-and-blue backline.
Into stoppage time and it was Espanyol’s game to win with countless chances at the end, as Braithwaite searched for his hat-trick and the team sought the final whistle. Although they couldn’t add a third they held on for a vital three points in the race for promotion at the Stage Front Stadium.