For the first time since 2007, Espanyol has turned an away game against Valencia into a win. The visitors from Barcelona were still 1-0 down eight minutes before the end, but the game turned completely after a red card from Valencia and a subsequent sensational penalty. Jasper Cillessen was unable to turn the penalty and then also cashed in the 1-2. In stoppage time, Rubén Iranzo headed on the crossbar on behalf of Valencia. Espanyol climbs to ninth place thanks to the victory, two points behind number eight Valencia.
As spectacular as the second half was, so forgettable was the first. One dangerous moment occurred in the ninth minute, when Hugo Duro headed the post on behalf of Valencia after a cross from . Hélder Costa, but otherwise there were no serious possibilities. Espanyol unsuccessfully asked for a penalty when Raúl de Tomás shot into Thierry Correia’s elbow, but referee José María Sánchez Martínez refused to grant that wish. After the break, the teams managed to offer some more entertainment to the supporters present in the last game of 2021.
Off the post from @hugoduro14 after a mazy run from @clearcosta_! ???#ValenciaEspanyol pic.twitter.com/WUAydCvF8O
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) December 31, 2021
Twelve seconds after the kick-off, Espanyol missed a huge opportunity: the visitors built up on the right flank, after which Loren Morón crossed the ball towards De Tomás. The released Cillessen seemed too late, but De Tomás shot over and wide. Minutes later, Valencia unsuccessfully asked for a penalty after Morón knocked over Maxi Gómez in the penalty area. The host opened the scoring after fifty minutes. The sixth corner for the home team yielded the desired result: Espanyol did not clear the ball well, so that Hélder Costa was allowed to give a new cross and defender Omar Alderete hit the target. After an hour Cillessen worked with the foot a dangerous cross from Adrián Embarba. It was the start of a phase in which Espanyol became more menacing.
A faraway shot by Javi Puado sailed just wide before the visitors were awarded a controversial penalty. In the eyes of Sánchez Martínez, Duro tapped substitute Jofre in the penalty area. The footage appeared to show that the Espanyol substitute, who made his LaLiga debut, dropped himself by kicking the grass. However, the VAR failed to act and Duro received his second yellow card of the match. De Tomás shot through the middle; Cillessen stayed there, but was unable to turn the penalty. Eleven against ten, Espanyol then completely took over the game: from a sharp, turning cross from Jofre, Puado headed in the winning goal. In stoppage time, Iranzo’s diagonal header hit the crossbar.