Zaragoza 1 : 0 Espanyol - Leonardo downs Espanyol

Posted Sunday, May 15, 2011 by PA

Leonardo Ponzio scored the only goal of the game to sink Espanyol 1-0 to boost Real Zaragoza's Primera Division survival bid - and end the visitors' Europa League hopes.

The Argentinian midfielder struck 10 minutes into the second half to clinch Zaragoza's 11th league win of the season.

Javier Aguirre's side remain in the relegation zone despite the win, but now have a cluster of clubs in their sights, while Espanyol slipped six points behind seventh-placed Sevilla in the final European spot ahead of next weekend's final round of fixtures.

The hosts started well and could have gone ahead in the 13th minute but Espanyol goalkeeper Carlos Kameni tipped Ponzio's 25-yard left-footed drive around the post.

Kameni was again on hand to keep out an Angel Lafita blast seven minutes later and then looked on as Said Boutahar headed Ponzio's cross harmlessly over the bar.

The lively Ponzio was carrying a threat whenever he got forward and tried his luck again from distance just after the half-hour, only to power it narrowly wide.

Zaragoza keeper Leo Franco was called into action for the first time of note seven minutes before half-time, parrying Jose Maria Callejon's shot from the edge of the area.

Ponzio had one last sight of goal at the other end before the break but his curling attempt in first-half stoppage time was once again kept out by Kameni.

Kameni continued to be the busier of the two keepers after the restart, catching a left-footed Florent Sinama Pongolle effort from the left-hand side of the area in the 52nd minute.

But he was beaten in the 55th minute, when Ponzio's right-footed drive from 25 yards found its way through into the bottom-left of the Espanyol goal.

Vazquez Alvaro passed up the visitors' best chance of equalising in the 81st minute, his header comfortably caught by Franco.