Getafe were hoping for some relief on their return to the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez after their horror start to 2023 on the road. A Copa Del Rey exit against Levante and a 2-1 defeat at Sevilla last time out left Azulones flat in the new year, and things went from bad to worse early on against Espanyol, when Getafe found themselves a goal down on five minutes. Luis Milla was dispossessed by Martin Braithwaite on the halfway line and the ball fell kindly to Joselu, who audaciously lobbed David Soria from 40 yards.
Clearly determined to build on their three-match unbeaten home run, Getafe hit back immediately. Espanyol made the fatal mistake of giving Enes Ünal space on the edge of the area for the Turkish forward to fire an unstoppable strike into the top corner, marking his fifth goal contribution in as many matches. Chances continued to come during an end-to-end first half, with Espanyol’s Braithwaite firing wide from the edge of the area before Omar Alderete’s header skimmed the post for Getafe.
As a defeat could have dragged either side closer towards the La Liga relegation places, a cagier second period ensued, with neither side willing to cede ground to their opponents. Eventually, it took a moment of magic from Espanyol’s Javi Puado to break the standstill, as the forward dribbled past two Getafe defenders and lifted the ball over Soria for his first La Liga goal since October.
Getafe pushed on for another equaliser in the closing stages, but couldn’t break down a resilient Espanyol. The defeat leaves Azulones winless in nine of their last 11 La Liga matches, as a torrid start to 2023 rumbles on. In contrast, Espanyol showed two moments of individual quality that proved decisive, as the Periquitos sealed just their second away victory in La Liga this season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Javi Puado (RCD Espanyol)
