Eibar claim convincing 3-1 victory over Espanyol
The Armeros recorded a third straight win
Eibar tonight ran out 3-1 winners over Espanyol in the sides' La Liga Matchday 14 clash in a game that saw the Armeros rack up their fifth win of the campaign and a third straight victory. Eibar were set on their way very early on here, with Kike García edging them ahead with the game barely eight minutes old. Before the interval, Iván Alejo doubled the hosts' advantage and Joan Jordán later put the home side three goals to the good from the spot. In the closing stages, Espanyol struck a consolation courtesy of an own goal.
The two teams traded the upper hand in the opening period, with Eibar making their chances tell when they were on top. The Armeros came racing out of the blocks and were ahead with just eight minutes on the clock. A sublime Anaitz Arbilla free-kick cannoned back off the crossbar and Kike Garcia was on hand to gobble up the rebound.
Far from crumbling after this early setback, Espanyol recovered well and soon went in search of an equaliser. On 15' Marko Dmitrović second-guessed Gerard Moreno when he was clean through and minutes later, Leo Baptistao failed to restore parity with an effort from inside the area. Los Pericos were patiently awaiting their chance to strike with their best openings coming from set pieces and swift breaks on the counter.
After the half-hour mark, Eibar once again began to control proceedings. Alejo duly extended the home side's lead on 38' when he guided a stunning strike beyond the despairing dive of Pau López and into the far corner to send Eibar in 2-0 up at half-time.
In the second half the Armeros continued to make inroads into the opposition's box and shortly after the restart they nearly extended their lead when Dani García contrived to send his effort from the edge of the area over the bar. Espanyol, meanwhile, patiently sought to engineer a way back into the game. However, it was Eibar who struck again, with Jordán's spot-kick putting the hosts firmly in command.
From this point on, the Armeros continued to control proceedings and prevented the visitors from threatening in attack. In the 78th minute Sergi Enrich headed Esteban Granero's free-kick into his own net to give the Blanquiazules a glimmer of hope, but Eibar went on to see the game out and secure a third straight victory.