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Defeat at San Mamés

Espanyol are beaten 2-1 by Athletic Club, despite taking an early lead

Espanyol left San Mamés empty-handed in a Monday night fixture against Athletic Club, losing 2-1 thanks to a turnaround by the home side. Tonny Vilhenna opened his goalscoring account after just 3 minutes, but goals from Oihan Sancet and Iñigo Martínez for Athletic meant that Los Pericos suffered defeat.

The game started off in frantic fashion, and it was Espanyol who took the lead from their very first chance: Javi Puado crossed in from the right and Vilhena, arriving into the area, was left all alone to strike into the top right corner. It was his first goal in LaLiga since joining Espanyol in the winter transfer window.

Whilst that goal came quickly, the equaliser arrived soon after. Sancet broke through the defence off a ball over the top from Raúl García , seemingly in an offside position before shooting past Diego López. However, a VAR check would give the goal in the home side's favour.

Just past the quarter hour, Iñigo Martínez put the home team ahead with a header in, resulting from a loose ball after a free kick had hit the wall. That took the score to 2-1, with both teams effective in front of goal early on.

Espanyol began to move the ball from one wing to the other, but it was difficult for them to overcome Athletic Club's compact defensive lines. The in-form Basque side were looking to hit off the break with the speed of Sancet and Nico Serrano, whilst shutting off space at the back.

Nevertheless, Espanyol had another opportunity before the break, with Dimata -in for the suspended Raúl de Tomás- heading just wide of Unai Simón's right post.

The pace continued to be intense throughout the second half. The two coaches made changes to maintain the momentum of the game, with the search for goals the objective.

In a big moment from the second period, Vicente Moreno's men appealed for a very clear handball from Balenziaga inside the area. The referee addressed the protests, stating that there was no intention in the contact, but would not go to VAR.

Sergi Darder had Espanyol's final chance, tipped over the crossbar by Unai Simón, as Athletic Club held on.

Next up is a derby against FC Barcelona, on Sunday at the RCDE Stadium.