Espanyol Grab Late Point at Almeria
Sergio Garcia cancels out a Fernando Soriano goal to grab a very late draw for 10 man Espanyol after Arbilla was shown a second yellow card in the 33rdminute
Almeria couldn’t overcome a resolute Espanyol side in an enjoyable encounter at the Estadio Juegos Mediterráneos last night even though the home side did not take advantage of the extra man for nearly 60minutes after a first half sending off for new signing Anaitz Arbilla.
Arbilla recently brought in from Rayo Vallecano in the summer saw 2 very soft yellow cards that really should have been dealt with by the referee in a different manner; the second was a slight pull on Almeria new boy Edgar´s shirt after the winger had broken free down the left side of the pitch.
Both sides had chances to get ahead in the first half, with Edgar for Almeria showing some promise but they went in at 0-0!
Bring on the second period and Almeria looked like they wanted to win it now with more attacking play and then in the 52nd minute the breakthrough came. Edgar was again in the mix of the play with a superb penetrating run down the left wing; he jinked inside and found a pass to Fernando Soriano who fired the ball into the bottom left corner!
Only moments later the game was halted due to half the stadium sitting in darkness! A nightmare for the ground staff who rallied around to get the lights back, then after a 12minute break play resumed with Almeria still in control.
The Red & Whites made La Liga history in the 66th minute when they brought on Teerasil Dangda to rapturous applause from the home faithful, Teerasil being the first Thai footballer to play in the Spanish League.
But nothing could be done to stop Sergio Garcia grabbing a late equaliser, a pass from the left wing found the Espanyol number 9 in the box with 5 defenders surrounding him but Garcia coolly took a touch and slotted the ball past a lacklustre attempted save by Ruben!
Almeria will need to improve on the performance overall as sides might not be as generous further into the season, some positives would be Edgar who I think is a good signing and will create chances. Add to that Hemed who will get goals as the year goes by, but the same old story of not playing till the final whistle and lack of concentration will need to be addressed!
Unión Deportiva Almería: Rubén, Michel, Dos Santos, Trujillo, Dubarbier, Verza, Thomas, Edgar (Corona 90′), Soriano (Teerasil 65′), Jonathan, Hemed (Thievy 79′)
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona: Kiko Casilla, Victor Alvarez, Álvaro, Colotto, Arbilla, David López, Víctor Sánchez, Salva Sevilla (Stuani 56′), Sergio García, Paco Montañés (Abraham 69′), Caicedo (Javi López 45′)
Goals
U.D. Almería: 1-0, Soriano (53′);
R.C.D. Espanyol: 1-1, Sergio García (90′);
Ref: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández (Las Palmas)
Were you at the game? What are your thoughts on the campaign ahead for the Rojiblanocs?
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