Espanyol 0-2 Valencia: Brave Pericos eventually fall to Los Che

Espanyol put it all on the line, even though a victory would have helped bitter rivals Barcelona, but in the end it was not enough.

Valencia were below-par, even accounting for rests being handed out to Simone Zaza, Carlos Soler and Goncalo Guedes, but came away with three points from Cornella which leaves them four points behind the Blaugrana at the top of the table.

The hosts tried to blow Marcelino’s house down to the ground but failed and, exhausted, were picked off by Los Che, who continue unbeaten and extended their best ever start to a league season.

Sergio Garcia was in fine fettle up front, forcing Neto to tip his strike over and saw another strike blocked. The veteran forward was the heartbeat of Espanyol’s attack.

Gerard Moreno came inches away from opening the scoring when his effort struck a post, before a Sergi Darder rocket clipped the other, with Valencia rocking.

Frustrated Valencia manager Marcelino was sent off, and curiously it was after that, the game turned in his team’s favour.

Geoffrey Kondogbia curled home a 25-yard strike which was so far against the run of play it looped back around to get there, in the 66th minute. It was his third goal of an impressive season.

That goal broke Espanyol spirits and Santi Mina added another from close range after a grievous Victor Sanchez error teed him up perfectly and left Pau Lopez with no chance.

Next Sunday, at Mestalla, Valencia—potentially without coach Marcelino—will face a far truer truth test in their title bid, when they welcome Barcelona to Camp Nou.