Celta Vigo have moved into the Champions League places after they secured a 1-0 victory at home against Espanyol despite finishing the game with 10 men.
Celta had the first chance of the game as Theo Bongonda cut inside from the right-hand side, but the strike from outside the box was put wide.
Alvaro Gonzalez then came close for the away side as he flicked on a corner at the near post, but Sergio Alvarez did well to tip it over the bar.
Daniel Wass moved down the wing later in the first half and managed to find a ball to Iago Aspas, who struck it towards goal but could not get his effort on target.
It would not be long before Aspas got another chance as he ran at the Espanyol defence, took on one player and then chipped the ball over a helpless Pau Sabata for the opener just before half time.
In the second half, Pablo Hernandez was sent off just two minutes after the restart for a second bookable offence, leaving Celta with 10 men for the remaining 43 minutes.
Aspas had another chance after being set up by Orellano just outside the box but the strike was palmed away by Sabata onto his own bar and away.
The former Liverpool man had yet another opportunity to put Celta further ahead after he rounded Sabata one on one but he could not place his finish into the open goal.
The home side held on to move into fourth in the La Liga table, while Espanyol remain 12th.
Nathan Staples
