Espanyol: Pau López; Arbilla, Alvaro González, Enzo Roco, Duarte; Cañas, Víctor Sánchez (Diop 89’); Hernán Pérez, Marco Asensio (Gerard Moreno 76‘), Víctor Alvarez (Burgui 71’); Caicedo. 4-2-3-1.
Valencia: Jaume Domenech; Cancelo, Aderlan Santos, Abdennour, Gayà (Feghouli 61‘); Danilo Barbosa, Javi Fuego, Enzo Pérez; Rodrigo, Santi Mina (Paco Alcácer 65‘), Bakkali (Piatti 65’). 4-3-3.
Goals:
1-0. 18. Víctor Alvarez. Far post header after Mina headed back Asensio free kick.
Yellow cards: Alvaro 18’, Víctor Sánchez 26’, Rodrigo 38’, Santi Mina 39’, Hernán Pérez 41’, Bakkali 50’, Duarte 53’, Gayà 60’, Danilo 70’, Piatti 86’, Enzo Pérez 86’.
Espanyol are up to sixth after they beat Valencia 1-0 on Tuesday, a second win in four days for the Catalans. Pau López had to be at his best early on to keep out Bakkali and Rodrigo, but with just under twenty minutes gone Víctor Alvarez headed what was to prove the only goal after Santi Mina could only head a wide Marco Asensio free kick back towards his own far post. Jaume Domenech did well to save from an Alvaro header and an effort from Asensio before the break, and a couple of shots from Hernán Pérez and Asensio after the restart, and Pau López responded with a good stop from Rodrigo’s header to hand the Ches their first league defeat this season.