Espanyol welcomed Getafe to the El Prat on Sunday looking to recover from last week's league defeat to Villarreal, which was their first of the season.
The home side had the best of the opportunities in the first period, but could not make the breakthrough with the scores level at the interval.
Adrian Colunga opened the scoring 15 minutes from time, however, before completing his brace in stoppage time.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our penultimate La Liga live commentary of the evening comes from the El Prat as Espanyol welcome Getafe. As mentioned, Espanyol were defeated by Villarreal on Thursday, but a positive start to the season has left them sixth. Getafe also enter the match in good form, meanwhile, with two wins from their last three matches.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, it does not make good reading for Getafe. Espanyol have won three of the last five, with Getafe winning once and the other ending in a draw. However, Getafe were 2-0 winners in this stadium last season. But they have not beaten Espanyol on their own patch in any of the last three matches.
Espanyol have conceded seven goals in their first six matches – keeping just two clean sheets in the process, while Getafe have conceded 10 times thus far. Down the other end, Espanyol have found the back of the net 10 times to Getafe’s seven. It will be interesting to see how the home side respond following disappointment last time out.
TEAMS:
ESPANYOL XI: Casilla; Colotto, Moreno, Capdevila, J Lopez; Simao, Sanchez, D Lopez; Garcia, Stuani, Pizzi
GETAFE XI: Moya; Alexis, Rafa, Lago, Arroyo; Borja, Gavilan, Leon, Michel; Castro, Adrian
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Espanyol XI this evening with Sergio Garcia, Pizzi and Christian Stuani selected in an attacking lineup. Getafe, meanwhile, recall Adrian Colunga alongside Diego Castro in attack, but Pablo Sarabia is named on the bench. Right, the away side get the action underway on this warm evening in Barcelona. Let's hope for an entertaining fixture.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a strong atmosphere with the home supporters turning up in their numbers. Gavilan sets the early pace in midfield as the Getafe midfielder dives into a challenge with Javi Lopez, but the referee takes no additional action. It is important that both sides start well in this type of fixture.
Neither side has really been allowed to settle thus far with both midfields closing the space in the middle of the park. A deep cross from Michel threatens the Espanyol defence moments later, but Kiko Casilla comes to collect. Diego Castro is down the other wing moments later, but he loses control at the vital moment.
Not too much from the Espanyol forward trio thus far with Getafe forcing the issue down each wing. David Lopez attempts to take matters into his own hands for the home side with a through pass beyond Rafa, but Moya is quick off his line to clear. Getafe have 11 Spaniards in their starting XI this evening, which is good to see.
Opportunity for Getafe to put a dangerous delivery into the box as Leon stands over the corner, but Capdevila is on hand to clear under pressure from Adrian Colunga. Sergio Garcia calls for a penalty down the other end as he is bundled over by Roberto Lago, but the referee is not interested. End-to-end football in the last couple of minutes.
CHANCE! The clearest opportunity of the match comes to Colotto as the Espanyol defender meets a cross from Garcia, but he can only head into the arms of Moya. Either side of the goalkeeper and that would have been the opener. Good tempo about the match with both sides prepared to commit men forward in each attack.
CHANCE! Colunga has a fine chance down the other end moments later as the Getafe forward rounds Casilla before attempting to slot into the bottom corner, but he fires it wide of the post. How on earth has he missed? The opportunities are starting to arrive as the match continues to open up. Entertaining 12 minutes of football in Barcelona.
Another half-chance comes to Colunga as the Getafe striker finds a pocket of space outside the box, but he can only curl his effort into the arms of Casilla, who has been the busier of the two goalkeepers thus far. Garcia carries the fight down the other end, the skipper finds Pizzi, but his effort is wide of the post.
Positive couple of moments from Simao as the Portuguese twice beats his full back before delivering low crosses into the box, but Alexis clears the first, before Pizzi's effort is deflected wide of the post. Getafe force a corner down the other end moments later, but Leon's delivery is into the arms of Casilla. The opening 17 minutes of this match have flown past with both sides demonstrating their attacking abilities.
CHANCE! A stunning pass from Garcia presents Stuani with the chance to send Espanyol into the lead, but somehow Lago comes across to make a fine challenge at the vital moment. Brilliant pass, brilliant challenge. The resulting corner is delivered into the near post, but Castro is on hand to perform his defensive duty. Still goalless with 19 minutes on the clock.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of losing possession too easily in the final third. Neither is really in control at the moment, meanwhile, with each attacking with numbers each time they break. It is the type of match where the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be all-important. Still goalless with 22 minutes on the clock in Barcelona.
Wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as the home supporters raise their voices with their side forcing two corners in quick succession. However, the first is cleared by Rafa, before Moreno heads over the crossbar. Getafe are on the break with Castro moments later, but the forward is felled by Javi Lopez. No real opportunities for either side in the last few minutes.
Again Getafe threaten on the counter as Castro collects possession down the left before finding Colunga inside the box, but Moreno is across to clear the danger. The pressure continues as Borja strikes one from outside the box, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. End-to-end opening 26 minutes of football in Barcelona.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of committing a number of challenges in the opposing half. However, the referee has kept his cards in his pocket thus far. Slightly untidy period of the match with both sides losing possession too readily in the final third. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
Espanyol's fifth corner of the match presents a half-chance to Sanchez, but he can only plant his header high and wide of the crossbar. Stuani calls for a penalty inside the box moments later after clashing with Gavilan, but the referee is not interested. A free kick does arrive for the home side moments later, but Stuani heads Simao's delivery wide of the post.
It really is an untidy match in the middle of the park at the moment with both sides continually stopping the flow with a number of late challenges. Espanyol have started to enjoy more of the ball and indeed advanced possession, but the Getafe back four has been nice and compact thus far. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Another half-chance for the home side as Garcia finds Stuani inside the box, but his final touch just takes him wide of the goal. He manages to deliver a dangerous cross towards Sanchez, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. One-way traffic as Espanyol continue to boss proceedings. Somehow it is still goalless with 36 minutes on the clock at the El Prat.
Simao wants a penalty as the Portuguese is bundled over inside the box, but the referee is not interested, much to the frustration of the home supporters. Capdevila delivers a wicked cross towards Stuani moments later, but his header is over the crossbar. Getafe simply cannot get out of their own half.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining with the two sides still level at 0-0. Espanyol remain in the driving seat, but you just wonder whether they will be made to regret their missed opportunities. Wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium, meanwhile, as the supporters raise their voices.
Another half-chance for the home side as Moreno delivers a low cross into the Getafe box, but Moya just manages to collect at the vital moment. Getafe are down the other end with Castro moments later, but the Spaniard loses possession before lunging into a poor challenge with Sanchez. The untidiness in the middle of the park continues.
Not too much to report in the latter stages of the half with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the first period.
HALF TIME: Espanyol 0-0 Getafe
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Getafe had their moments in the early stages, but Espanyol have enjoyed the best of it. You just get the feeling that the first goal could be all-important in this type of fixture. Let's hope for goals in the second period.
STATISTICS: Espanyol have had more of the possession with 57%, but both teams have had three attempts in an end-to-end first period. Getafe have picked up two yellow cards, but the home side have escaped punishment thus far. The home side's pass completion rate (74%) has also been superior to Getafe's - 65%.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on the bench in the shape of German, Torje and Bifouma. Meanwhile, Getafe have the likes of Pablo Sarabia, Juan Rodriguez and Javi Navas in reserve. It is a match that could be ultimately decided from the bench.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that following the completion of this match we have action from Seville as Real Betis welcome Villarreal, be sure to remain with us for that. Right, the home side get the action underway in the El Prat.
Bright start to the half from the home side as Simao advances down the left before delivering a low cross into the box, but Rafa is on hand to make the clearance. The Portuguese collects moments later, but he is chopped down by Alexis. The free-kick count continues to rise as Garcia is felled in the next attack, much to the frustration of the home supporters.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side in the early stages of the second period as Pizzi finds some space inside the box before turning inside Rafa, but he is over-crowded at the vital moment. Getafe are down the other end moments later, with Leon bringing a fine stop from Casilla. End-to-end football with 50 minutes on the clock.
Whoever opens the scoring - if either - will certainly be the favourites to claim all the points in this match. Despite the number of opportunities, you do not get the feeling that there will be too many goals in the second period. Espanyol's corner count continues to rise as Garcia delivers once more, but Moreno can only scoop his effort over the crossbar.
Good pressure from the away side in the last couple of moments as they force two corners in quick succession, but the first is cleared by Lopez, before Casilla claims the second. Leon finds himself unmarked in the box moments later, but his effort flashes wide of the post. Still goalless with 55 minutes on the clock in Barcelona.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for the away side as Leon finds Castro inside the box, but the Spaniard chooses the wrong option, attempting to play it towards Leon, when he had a fine shooting opportunity, which brings a furious reaction from his manager. Pizzi is down the other end moments later, but he is challenged by Alexis. High-tempo La Liga affair between these two sides.
Espanyol call for a penalty as Moreno falls under pressure inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Incredible atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment with the home supporters full of noise. We are getting to the stage in the match where both managers will be considering changes. Still goalless with little over 30 minutes of football remaining.
End-to-end football in the El Prat as Getafe break from an Espanyol corner, but once more the away side pick the wrong pass in the final third with Gavilan losing possession. Eventually Castro delivers a deep cross into the area, but Moreno makes the clearance. Castro is left in a heap moments later by Moreno as the challenges continue to fly in.
Espanyol's frustration continues as their skipper Garcia picks up a yellow card for dissent. It really is an untidy match at the moment with the referee forced into action to deal with a number of late challenges. Still no movement on either bench, which is a surprise at this stage of proceedings.
Another half-chance for the away side as Castro collects a through pass from Leon, but he can only curl his effort wide of the post. However, it would not have counted with the linesman raising his flag at the final moment. I would be astounded if there was not a goal in this match with still more than 25 minutes of football remaining.
Espanyol's turn to be on the wrong end of the flag as Garcia collects a through pass from Simao, only to be denied by the official. Getafe make the first change of the match as Sarabia enters the field to replace Gavilan. The home side also make a change with Torje replacing Simao, who has faded in the second period.
It's good work from Torje as the Espanyol attacker drives into the heart of the Getafe midfield, but he is felled by Castro, who picks up a yellow for his troubles. The resulting free kick is taken by Pizzi, but Borja is on hand to clear behind his own crossbar. Little under 20 minutes of football remaining in Barcelona.
Another change for the away side as Michel is replaced by the former Real Madrid midfielder Mosquera. Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments with both sides struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third. Capdevila strikes one from distance moments later, but Moya is across to make the save.
GOAL! Espanyol 0-1 Getafe (Colunga)
First blood to the away side! Getafe take the lead with 73 minutes on the clock as Sarabia slides in Colunga, who takes one touch before rolling his effort into the opposite corner. Wonderful finish from the Spaniard.
Good response from the home side as they force two corners in quick succession, but Getafe manage to repel the danger. Stuani meets a cross from Lopez moments later, but Rafa is on hand to clear off the line. You just get the feeling that Getafe will have to ride their luck in the latter stages if they are to claim all three points.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the home side as Capdevila meets a corner at the near post, but he can only flick his header wide of the post. Moments later the home side make another change with David Lopez withdrawn for Bifouma. Little over 10 minutes of normal time remaining in Barcelona.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with Getafe comfortable in possession of the ball. The home supporters are doing their best to raise the atmosphere inside the stadium, but their team just cannot get the ball. Sarabia has an effort from outside the box moments later, but his effort flashes wide of the post.
Garcia remains the main outlet for the home side as the Espanyol skipper collects possession outside the box before attempting to curl one towards the top corner, but it just drifts high of the crossbar. Moreno delivers a dangerous cross into the area moments later, but Moya comes to collect. Little over five minutes of football remaining in Barcelona.
Espanyol continue to force the issue with two corners in quick succession bringing the home side's total to 13 for the evening, but Colotto can only head the second high and wide of the crossbar. Time is not on their side at the moment as Moya takes his time with the goal kick. Getafe make a change moments later as Rodriguez replaces Leon.
It is a case of 'anywhere will do' for Getafe at the moment as they continue to pump the danger clear at every opportunity. Castro wastes more precious moments as he carries possession into the Espanyol half, but he moves into an offside position after combining with Sarabia. Little over two minutes of football remaining.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes of normal time and we are indeed into the first of those. In truth, not too much is happening, with Getafe comfortable in possession of the ball. Espanyol have dominated for long periods this evening, but they are heading for their second successive defeat of the season.
GOAL! Espanyol 0-2 Getafe (Colunga)
Colunga has his second of the match in stoppage time as the striker collects a cross from Sarabia before thumping a low effort into the back of the net. Stunning work from the former. That is indeed game, set and match as the home supporters start to leave the stadium.
FULL TIME: Espanyol 0-2 Getafe
So there we have it. Getafe pick up all three points with a 2-0 win over Espanyol. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Betis against Villarreal. Until then!
