RCD Espanyol fight back for 3-2 win over Amorebieta
Fernando Calero and Salvi Sánchez score on Matchday 4
The return of the fans to Stage Front Stadium encouraged RCD Espanyol to fight back against SD Amorebieta, winning 3-2 after overcoming a two-goal deficit.
Espanyol started the game well with a good offensive action that Brian Olivan narrowly missed out on converting. It was the first warning for a visiting side who were both resilient and organised, arriving in Cornellà unbeaten in their first three games.
Challenged in terms of possession, Los Pericos had sporadic shots in the first half. Puado, who was wearing the captain's armband on Matchday 4, had an opportunity thwarted, quickly answered by Amorebieta's Dorrio with a very dangerous shot.
Espanyol suffered a set back with an injury to Brian Oliván, as the fullback had put in the best crosses of the opening period until he had to be replaced by Ramon.
Luis García's men had their moments, including Jofre having a goal disallowed due to an offside by Puado. Melamed tried again twice, as did Jofre, both without success in their finishing.
Things became difficult in the final minutes. Eraso ended up taking advantage of a careless move upfield out of the defence, opening the scoring for Amorebieta. That was followed up by Álvaro Núñez's breaking out on the right wing to beat Fernando Pacheco for the second time.
Upon the restart, Espanyol got underway with good energy and tried to turn the scoreline around quickly. Keidi Bare had a golden opportunity denied by Campos, Pere Milla had an acrobatic shot, met by the goalkeeper, and a goal for Los Pericos came closer and closer.
It finally arrived when Calero took advantage of a loose ball in the box to close the scoreline to 1-2.
Luis García added more firepower thereafter, bringing on Martin Braithwaite and Salvi Sánchez. Although the team had a hard time finding consistency in their play, the connection between the two was essential to achieving the equaliser off a move started by Keita Baldé, who was making his debut. Salvi converted to level for RCD Espanyol.
Fernando Calero once again took advantage of a set piece to score the winner and confirm his status as the top scorer for the first team, earning a home victory in front of the returning Pericos.