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Draw in Valencia on Matchday 28

Espanyol are held 1-1 by Levante away from home

RCD Espanyol drew 1-1 with Levante at the Ciutat de Valencia on LaLiga Matchday 28, in a game that saw them go ahead before a late equaliser was scored by the hosts.

Both sides prioritised organisation and focus in the opening minutes, which contrasted to the goal-fest of the first encounter between them this season -a 4-3 win for Los Pericos at the RCDE Stadium. Possession went back and forth, defences snuffed out chances, and neither side could establish dominance.

The closest chance to a goal in the initial stanza came off a Levante free kick by Bardhi, which was turned into an Espanyol counterattack. Play moved upfield before Raúl de Tomás fell inside the penalty area, but the referee waved off an appeal for a spot kick.

Right at the end, Sergi Darder struck a shot just wide of the upright, but there was little in the way of clear opportunities for either side before the interval.

After the break, the tempo and the chances picked up. Darder found a pass inside that reached Javi Puado, and the striker took advantage to finish off, just five minutes into the second half.

Shortly after, Tonny Vilhena headed onto the post and the ball failed to reach an Espanyol player to finish off the rebound.

Espanyol sought to establish authority, but could not convert it into goals. They were made to pay for this on 80 minutes, as Levante's Dani Gómez levelled for the hosts.

A wild finale to the game saw sprints upfield, counterattacks and penalty appeals, but the scoreline remained all square, as Espanyol took a point home from their latest away trip.

Next up is a game at the RCDE Stadium against RCD Mallorca, next Sunday afternoon.