Espanyol Stay Top Despite Geta Draw

Claud · Sep 20, 2008

Espanyol 1-1 Getafe

An opportunistic Sergio Sánchez goal salvaged a point for Espanyol after Manu del Moral had given Getafe a surprise lead from the spot just a minute into the second half.

Espanyol and Getafe went into the contest at the Montjuïc knowing that a win for either side will them take to the top of the table for 24 hours at least. The Blanc-i-Blau, the only team with a 100% record after two rounds, were looking to make it three in a row while Los Azulones were eager to maintain their unbeaten start to the 08/09 campaign.

First Half

Both teams began with a good scrap in midfield but neither could go anywhere near the opposition goal.

The first real glimpse of an opening came on nine minutes when Jacobo spilled a harmless looking cross from Coro and Tamudo almost pounced on the loose ball, but the Getafe third choice goalkeeper managed to gather it safely on the second asking.

On 12 minutes, Tamudo did successfully latch on to a loose ball but he snatched his left-footed half volley and blazed the effort well over.

The first attempt on target fell to Getafe three minutes later. Gavilán’s cross from the left found Manu del Moral but the striker’s off-balanced header did not generate enough power of direction as it sailed straight to Kameni’s hands.

Gavilán then had a chance of his own when he was released by Casquero down the left channel but his first time shot across the goal was read and saved by Kameni.

Both sides immediately resorted to hopeful crosses and long shots to break down the other team. On 27 mins, Manu tried his luck from distance with a low snap-shot from 20 yards out in an attempt to catch Kameni off-guard at his near post but the shot flew just wide.

Luis Garcia did likewise for Espanyol moments later when he ran in circles to keep hold of the ball, before letting fly from 25 yards out after failing to find any support, but his tame effort was easily collected by Jacobo.

The best chance of the half undoubtedly came in the 33rd minute for Getafe. Cata Diaz drilled in a 20 yard freekick which forced Kameni to make a full stretch save to tip the shot around the post.

El Geta continue to look the more enterprising side and a minute before the break, they were almost rewarded. A patient build-up ended with Licht whipping in a cross from the left for Manu but the 24 year old striker, although unchallenged inside the box, could not get enough power in his header as Kameni dived to his right to make an excellent save.

Second Half
It took just 35 seconds for the second period to burst to life when Getafe winger Jofre Guerrón was brought down clumsily by Beranger in the box. The referee had little choice but to point for a penalty and Manu made no mistakes from the spot, coolly dispatching it into his top left corner, sending Kameni the wrong way.

Four minutes later, Manu had a glorious opportunity to double his tally for the night but he ballooned Cortés’ cross from five yards out with only Kameni infront of him.

Espanyol almost found the equalizer on 53 minutes when Tamudo drilled in a low cross right infront of the goal mouth but Luis Garcia was just a foot away from making contact and stabbing the ball in.

But in the 57th minute, Los Periquitos finally restored parity. Luis Garcia’s freekick from the left wing to the far post was bundle in by Sergio Sánchez after his initial header came back off the post.

Two minutes later, Coro should have given the hosts the lead. He breezed past the Getafe backline but instead of a simple shot, he decided to round the goalkeeper and while he succeeded, he also drew himself out to the byline and from a tight angle, his shot was easily cleared on the line by Cortés.

The next chance for Espanyol fell to Luis Garcia on 63 minutes when he nipped in ahead of Jacobo to meet Nené’s cross but the effort just looped agonizingly over the bar.

After that frenetic spell, the game died back down as both teams began to exercise caution with the clock winding down. But it was the home sides who continue to push forward desperately looking for the winning goal but as El Geta tightened, chances were few and far between.

Nené had a look-in in the 85th minute when he pounced on a poor Jacobo clearance but his fierce left foot half-volley crashed into the side netting.

The draw brought Espanyol perfect start to an end but the solitary point still leaves them top of the table with seven points and they should, at the very least, remain joint-leaders with a number of other teams by the end of the weekend.

LINE-UPS
Espanyol (4-4-2): Kameni – Sergio Sánchez, Jarque, Pareja, Beranger (Finnan 79’) – Coro, Hurtado, Román Martinez, Nené – Luis Garcia (Callejón 84’), Tamudo (Soriano 73’)

Unused subs: Valdo, Lola, Sielva, Álvarez

Getafe (4-4-1-1): Jacobo – Cortés, Mario, Cata Diaz, Licht – Guerrón (Soldado 66’), Casquero, Celestini, Gavilán (Contra 74’) – Albin (Uche 78’) – Manu

Unused subs: Adrián, Polanski, Kas, Gonzalo

Goals

0-1: Getafe (Manu 46’ pen.)

1-1: Espanyol (Sergio Sánchez 57’)

BOOKINGS

Espanyol: Jarque (36’), Pareja (50’), Beranger (70’)

Getafe: Casquero (6’), Manu (37’), Soldado (81’)
Click to expand...

Surprising start of the season for Espanyol.

La Bomba · Sep 20, 2008

And aren't they doing this without De La Pena?

Claud · Sep 20, 2008

He's played all games so far except for the last one, but last week he pulled something and will be out for 2-3 weeks.

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Espanyol Stay Top Despite Geta Draw

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Espanyol Stay Top Despite Geta Draw

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