Rayo Vallecano 1 : 3 Espanyol - Garcia inspires Espanyol triumph - 7M sport

Rayo Vallecano 1 : 3 Espanyol - Garcia inspires Espanyol triumph



Posted Sunday, December 21, 2014 by PA

Rayo Vallecano slumped to a third straight Primera Division defeat as Espanyol captain Sergio Garcia inspired his side to a 3-1 victory at Campo de Futbol de Vallecas.

Garcia opened the scoring in the ninth minute, punishing a Rayo mix-up at the back with a well-taken finish, before Leo Baptistao's close-range effort just prior to the interval drew things level.

The visiting skipper then provided the cross from which Lucas Vazquez converted a header in the 76th minute.

Espanyol were reduced to 10 men in the 81st minute when substitute Christian Stuani picked up a second booking.

But Garcia subsequently struck again deep into stoppage time to wrap up a fifth win in six matches in all competitions for Sergio Gonzalez's men.

The result takes the Catalans up a place to 10th in the table, while Paco Jemez's Rayo stay 12th.

Espanyol claimed the early lead when home goalkeeper Cristian Alvarez jumped to catch the ball but collided with a team-mate and spilt it, allowing Garcia to produce a neat finish on the turn from the edge of the box.

Soon after, Alvarez's opposite number Kiko Casilla was called into action, parrying a shot from Alberto Bueno.

There was little excitement in terms of goalscoring chances for the rest of the first half until Baptistao came to the fore just before the break.

In the 44th minute his header from six yards out was caught by Casilla, and a minute later Baptistao had the ball in the net, hooking home when Gael Kakuta's cross was flicked into his path.

Opportunities continued to be limited as the second half got under way, with Kakuta sending an ambitious effort wide from outside the box.

But Espanyol's advantage was restored with around a quarter of an hour to go as Lucas despatched Garcia's delivery.

Following Stuani's dismissal - for two fouls on Raul Baena, nine minutes apart - Rayo's search for a leveller saw them fashion a couple of attempts on goal, but substitute Manucho headed wide and Kakuta fired over.

Garcia then had the final say in the 95th minute, slotting home after being teed up by Juan Fuentes.



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