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2-2: RCD Espanyol held to derby draw

Catalan derby against Girona ends all square at the RCDE Stadium

RCD Espanyol played out a 2-2 draw with Girona on Saturday.

Espanyol were at the RCDE Stadium for the first LaLiga match of the new year and with another Catalan derby in store. Diego Martínez made a handful of changes to the starting XI, which included bringing Nico Melamed in following his impressive display off the bench midweek.

Valentín Castellanos had the first chance of the evening, working a solid save out of Álvaro Fernández. His opposite number Paulo Gazzaniga was also called into action when he denied Martin Braithwaite at the near post from a tricky effort.

It was hard for Espanyol to get into the flow with so many fouls and stoppages, but that was exactly what was playing into Girona’s hands. They took the lead when they latched onto a loose ball and broke quickly, finished off by Toni Villa for the opening goal.

The hosts kept working to break down their opponents, and had a golden chance when Joselu’s header was tipped over by Gazzaniga. A big second half lay ahead for the pericos, with the derby showing no sign of slowing at the RCDE Stadium.

Espanyol would quickly roar their way back into the match inspired by an instant impact substitute. Javi Puado came off the bench, and within a minute he smashed it home on the rebound to send the stands into delirium and bring the hosts level.

That equaliser was the momentum shift that they needed and suddenly Espanyol were in control, with Braithwaite coming close when his effort was saved. It was Joselu who turned up to score as he beat Gazzaniga to the ball and guided his header into the bottom corner, the ninth goal of the season for the number nine.

However, Espanyol’s lead would be short lived as Yangel Herrera popped up to head in the equaliser and the eventual final goal of the evening. In what had been an evenly fought and competitive Catalan derby, it ended honours even at the RCDE Stadium.

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Match information

RCD Espanyol: Á. Fernández, Óscar Gil (Ruben S. 83’), S. Gómez, Cabrera, B. Oliván (Roger Martínez 83’), Calero (C. Montes 83’), Edu Expósito (Puado 50’), Darder, Braithwaite, Joselu, Nico M.R (Aleix V.C 57’).

Girona FC: Gazzaniga, Arnau, S. Bueno, David López, Miguel, R. Terrats (Herrera 71’), Toni Villa (Samu Saiz 63’), Iván Martín (Yan Couto 81’), Aleix García, Riquelme (Valery 81’), Castellanos (Stuani 71’).

Referee: Carlos Del Cerro Grande

Goals: 0-1 Toni Villa 32’; 1-1 Puado 51’, 2-1 Joselu 77’, 2-2 Herrera 85’

Bookings: Edu Expósito 4’, B. Oliván 21’, S. Gómez 87’; Castellanos 9’, Herrera 88’

Attendance: 21,429