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Match Report: RCD Espanyol draw 1-1 with Valencia CF

Los Pericos extend their unbeaten run to five games

A 1-1 draw for RCD Espanyol against Valencia CF earned the team a solid point on the road, against another side in improved form during the final stretch of the campaign. Javi Puado struck in the first half, before Valencia CF equalised in the second period.

Level on 38 points, much had changed since the two teams met back on December 18th in a relegation six-pointer. RCD Espanyol kept faith in Manolo González— now named the Best Coach of April —while Valencia CF ended up sacking Ruben Baraja and replacing him with current coach Carlos Corberán.

Los Pericos, who have taken a step forward away from home, played with the same confidence they had shown in recent matches. Cristhian Romero, who was very incisive throughout on the left wing, caused the first scare with a shot that went wide, just a minute into the match.

Whilst RCD Espanyol were inaccurate at times with their passing and finishing, overall they managed to control the play. Edu Expósito had a shot from the edge of the box come back off the post, and Puado also issued a warning with a shot through the central channel.

The pair combined to break the deadlock in the first half. Expósito took a free kick low, which was deflected in by Puado to make it 0-1.

Before halftime, Roberto Fernández headed an Expósito cross close to goal, but the lead remained slim at the interval. It was maintained when Joan Garcia blocked every one of the home side's shots, including a very dangerous one from Javi Guerra.

Valencia CF came out with a vengeance in search of an equaliser in the second half, and forced Espanyol to retreat and rely on counterattacks, hoping to capitalise on the speed of their forwards.

Jofre threatened on a couple of occasions, although it was Roberto who came closest to scoring midway through the period.

However, the home side managed to snatch an equaliser, when Guerra beat Joan Garcia with a cross shot to share the points.