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3-1: Defeat at the Cerámica

RCD Espanyol are beaten by Villarreal B in a frustrating away trip

RCD Espanyol succumbed to a 3-1 defeat away to Villarreal B on Monday night.

For the last of three games in seven days, Luis García’s side travelled to the Estadio de la Cerámica to face Villarreal’s youngsters. The young hosts were straight into it and came close to opening the scoring, first from Lanchi’s strike followed by Abraham del Moral at close range denied by a fantastic Fernando Pacheco save.

The blanquiazul keeper would be called into action again when Javi Ontiveros went for it from the halfway line, but Pacheco recovered superbly to tip it over the bar. But the hosts would not let up and got their goal after all thanks to Stefan Lekovic.

Espanyol could have instantly responded, but Javi Puado was unable to convert Ramon Ramos’ rapid cross across the box. Villarreal B kept up their persistence and extended their advantage before the half hour mark, leaving the visitors with much work to do.

A tricky first half would end positively for Espanyol; Omar El Hilali’s cross fell into the path of Puado, who tucked it into the back of the net to bring the Mágico back into it. The arrivals of Nico Melamed and Brian Oliván for the second half gave García’s men the extra firepower needed to get back into it at the Cerámica.

There were chances aplenty on either side, with both Braithwaite and Melamed coming closest for Espanyol. Despite the second half resurgence Villarreal B could not be ruled out, restoring their two-goal advantage through Jorge Pascual. It ended in a frustrating loss for Espanyol, knocked off top spot and now a point adrift after matchday 10.