Espanyol lets out a draw at home against bottom side Elche (2-2)

Elche took to the pitch at the RCDE Stadium with the rush that their situation still demands. Almirón’s team could not afford another defeat, because they are already fighting for permanence against the clock. The people from Elche dominated the match at the beginning of the duel and warned a Spanish numb with the actions of Clerc, who exhibited swiftness. He was going for his first win. And Pere Milla, the man who appears in the important games, was once again the protagonist scoring the first goal. He started the play with a deep pass to Boyé, who settled in, turned and returned to assist the player from the side of the area so that he scored the first with a header.

Ironically, Elche’s goal benefited Espanyol, who finally woke up. He hadn’t had a chance yet. And he did not have any clear in the first 20 minutes of the match due to the defensive solidity shown by his rival, which prevented him from entering the area.

But Javi Puado made use of the effectiveness that he had not had in the other 10 games of the season and scored the equalizing goal in the only shot on goal for Espanyol in the first half. After a magnificent play by Edu Expósito, who got rid of three Elche defenders and left Puado alone against a poorly placed goalkeeper, the striker did not hesitate this time and finished off the squad to make it 1-1. The minutes that followed were the most intense of the match with constant counter-attacks from both teams. The clearest chance was that of Brian Oliván, who finished off from outside the area that almost grazed the post.

The VAR saves Elche

An error by Munuera Martínez could have changed the match. He showed the red card to Palacios after the defender lightly pushed Puado, who counterattacked practically on his own, but not enough to knock him down. A little further behind was also Verdú. The VAR corrected the action and it ended up being yellow for the man from Elche.

After the break, the Espanyol kept leading the chances. Elche kept possession, but had a lot of trouble getting into Lecomte’s area. He only had four shots on goal throughout the match, and was overwhelmed by duels with the Blue and Whites. Brian Olivan He alerted Elche again, first with a low center that no one arrived. And minutes later with a shot from outside the area, very similar to the one in the first half, which went almost grazing the crossbar.

And after the first warnings, the Spanish comeback. Aleix Vidal caught Oliván’s center at the far post, who passed it to Óscar Gil in the area so that he could assist Martin Braithwaite, who only had to finish it off to score the second for Espanyol.

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The Blue and Whites were able to have the third on several occasions. Joselu tried to take advantage of an error by Edgar Badia that left him almost alone in front of the goal, but the goalkeeper saved his own error taking out a providential hand. Darder was also able to score with a shot that went wide. But the goal was conceded by Lecomte. Gumbau put into play a lateral free kick that caught Espanyol’s defense off guard. Verdú took advantage and scored with a precise and powerful volley, which was the final draw.

In the last play of the match, Espanyol could have won, but the crossbar repelled a phenomenal shot by Nico Mellamed. Diego Martínez’s team thus added their 10th point and continues in positions that do not allow them to gain peace of mind.