Accidents are forgotten like this. The stumbles are left behind getting up. The page is turned with solvency from the defeats. From bordering on ridiculousness in La Cerámica against a reserve team to clearly winning in a big game, against a direct rival for promotion. Espanyol achieved a victory that says much more about them than the three points because they take the lead in the Second Division alone. The 2-0 against Valladolid speaks of a team focused on its objective that had an immense desire to show that Villarreal B was a bad day, nothing more. The blue and white lost the lead in Vila-real and regained it immediately.
To the minimum it could, the parakeet team showed its true level in front of a dedicated parish, which had the best start of the season. When the results of other fields benefit, you have to be ambitious to make a profit. Gifts are taken, opened and enjoyed. And Espanyol did not waste the draws between Tenerife and Zaragoza. And he did it, also, ending the streak of five consecutive wins with which the Pucelanos arrived. Hunky-dory. Very lucrative day.
As if that were not enough, Luis García, who left the defense of three centre-backs on hold, also showed that he has arguments to win without Pol Lozano and without Keidi Bare, who was finally called up by Albania, in the midfield. The double pivot was initially formed by Gragera and Álvaro Aguado with Pere Milla in the midfielder and Melamed returning to the starting position on the left wing, ahead of Brian Oliván.
Espanyol was forgiven quickly. Everything happened very soon. It helped in that fight for clemency to have two trigger-happy scorers. Braithwaite and Javi Puado have high confidence in these first months. They both scored and have already celebrated six goals per beard. Between the two of them they have signed more than half of the goals. We must not forget that the Dane, who made a big splash in pre-season in Marbella, celebrated 10 in the entire last season and the youth player stayed at seven. With more than 30 days left they are almost at the same numbers.
The two were involved in the key play. Puado ran the right wing and put in a great cross for Pere Milla, whose shot was taken by John Victor. But the rebound was fought by Braithwaite, who controlled it with his chest but was knocked down by the goalkeeper with his arm. The penalty was very clear. But the Dane made a mistake from 11 meters. John Victor saved the shot but the VAR had the shot repeated because Luis Pérez entered the area prematurely. Braithwaite couldn't get nervous, he shot again, changed sides and made it 1-0.
But the parakeet team doesn't only have forwards. With Pacheco under sticks there is a guarantee. Valladolid, who were on a roll, wanted to react after 1-0 and their two most dangerous players Kenedy and Sylla, although both too individualistic, sought to tickle them. But both the Brazilian and the Senegalese found an answer. Especially when Sylla cut back and left Calero in the area. He shot across but Pacheco was there to deny him the tie.
Valladolid, brave, posed man-to-man pressure throughout the field but, far from feeling uncomfortable, Espanyol knew how to correctly interpret that they had to be very vertical. And so it was 2-0: quick recovery, deep pass and great run by Puado, the smartest and fastest, who didn't think about it and shot before the break.
With land in between, the locals allowed themselves the luxury of waiting behind and hardly suffered in defense. Only with time up, Cedric threatened and Pacheco put Espanyol's solo lead in safekeeping.
Espanyol: Pacheco, Omar (Óscar Gil 86), Calero (Sergi Gómez 89), Cabrera, Brian Oliván, Gragera, Aguado (Bare 62), Melamed (Jofre Carreras 62), Puado, Pere Milla and Braithwaite (Keita Baldé 85).
Valladolid: John Victor, L. Perez, G. Henrique, Boyomo, Escudero (Oliveira 77), Juric, Ivan Sanchez, Monchu, Meseguer (Montiel 62), Kenedy (Cedric 78) and Sylla.
Stadium: Stage Front Stadium (21,439 spectators).
Referee: Caparrós Hernández (c. Valencian).
Cards: Yellow cards to John Victor, Gustavo Henrique, Omar, Melamed, Gragera, Montiel.
Quaffles: 1-0 Braithwaite (p) (8), 2-0 Puado (36).
