Villarreal go close to beating Espanyol after going 2-0 up after goals from Iborra and Cazorla
Villarreal drew against Espanyol at the Estadio de la Cerámica in a match where the home side went 2-0 up thanks to goals from Vicente Iborra and Santi Cazorla, the latter being a penalty. The Catalan side levelled through a Bonera own-goal and a Roberto Rosales strike (2-2).
Javi Calleja lined the side up with a 3-5-2 formation with Álvaro, Daniele Bonera and Ramiro Funes Mori as centre-backs. Miguelón and Alfonso Pedraza were wing-backs, with Cazorla and Pablo Fornals moving between the lines.
In the first half, the Yellows’ dominance was clear and goalscoring chances came as they grew into the game. The first came from a low Cazorla corner, with Karl Toko Ekambi laying it off and Gerard Moreno firing over the bar.
Soon it was Toko Ekambi’s chance to go close. The Yellows No.17’s shot was deflected after another Cazorla set piece. The Asturian showed his class throughout the match.
First Villarreal goal for Iborra
The goal to make it 1-0 started from Cazorla’s boots. The midfielder played a free-kick from out wide, Gerard’s effort came off the bar and Iborra was there to pounce and send it home (m. 36).
Villarreal looked solid in defence and dangerous in attack. Before half-time, they could have scored once more. Pedraza got down the touchline, before pulling it back for Gerard to send the ball over the bar.
After half-time, the excitement continued. The Yellow Submarine looked dangerous every time they attacked. Pedraza got free down the left flank, with his shot across the goal hitting the post.
The goal to make it 2-0 came from the penalty spot. Toko Ekambi was brought down in the box by Mario Hermoso, and Cazorla stepped up. The Asturian fired past Diego López, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance (m.65).
Espanyol got one back in an unlucky moment for the Yellows. Esteban Granero’s free-kick was pushed out by Sergio Asenjo, and as Bonera tried to clear it, he ended up sending the ball into his own net (m.75). The second goal for the visitors came from Rosales. The right-back unleashed an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area that flew into the top corner (m.80).
Villarreal tried to get the winner until the full-time whistle, but the goal did not arrive. The Yellows’ next match is on Friday against Real Valladolid at the Estadio José Zorrilla (9pm CET).
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Bonera, Álvaro, Funes Mori; Miguelón (Mario Gaspar, m. 87), Iborra, Fornals (Chukwueze, m. 82), Cazorla, Pedraza; Toko Ekambi (Bacca, m. 73), Gerard.
RCD Espanyol: Diego López; Rosales, David López, Hermoso, Dídac (Lei Wu, m. 77); Víctor Sánchez (Melendo, m. 46), Darder, Granero; Sergio García (Ferreyra, m. 69), Borja Iglesias, Piatti.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 36: Iborra. 2-0. Min. 65: Cazorla (pen). 2-1. Min. 75: Bonera (OG). 2-2. Min. 80: Rosales.
Referee: Cuadra Fernández. Booked: Bonera, Fornals, Funes Mori, Iborra (Villarreal); Víctor Sánchez, Dídac, Hermoso, Rosales, Darder (Espanyol).
Matchday information: LaLiga Matchday 22 at the Estadio de la Cerámica in front of an attendance of 15,476.
