Asenjo denies Espanyol at death as Villarreal win
Monday, February 24, 2014
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Sergio Asenjo saved an added-time penalty as Villarreal CF just about held off RCD Espanyol's comeback to revive their hopes of taking fourth spot in Spain with a 2-1 victory.
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Sergio Asenjo saved Sergio García's added-time penalty as Villarreal CF resisted a thrilling comeback away to RCD Espanyol.
The visitors looked to be cruising following goals either side of half-time from Moi Gómez and Jérémy Perbet, but Espanyol responded well. Jhon Córdoba halved the deficit (77) and it was so nearly level soon after as Héctor Moreno flashed wide of the post. Still, when Gabriel handled late on García had the perfect chance to earn a point only for Asenjo to guess right.
Full time brought real relief for Marcelino's side, who went into the game after back-to-back defeats. There was much to enjoy, too, from the performance of 17-year-old Nahuel Leiva, who marked an exciting first Liga start by supplying the cross for Gómez's opening goal on 36 minutes. Perbet tapped in a second soon after the restart to double the lead. Then came the Espanyol comeback.
Villarreal held on for a win that moves them alongside Real Sociedad de Fútbol, four points adrift of Athletic Club in fourth. Espanyol remain tenth.
