Valuable point is scant reward for largely dominant Eibar performance
The Armeros took a first-half lead, only for Espanyol to hit back after the interval
Eibar picked up a valuable point against a direct rival in the battle to finish amongst the top 10, although this stalemate is scant reward for an Armeros side who dominated for most of the 90 minutes.
After a bright start from the hosts, Espanyol began to dictate proceedings, with the visitors' strong pressing serving to stifle Eibar's attacking threat.
José Luis Mendilibar's charges kept probing and their relentless efforts were rewarded as they made the breakthrough with 20 minutes on the clock. Following a corner, Ander Capa found Pedro León with a fine pass and the unmarked winger whipped in a cross for Kike García to glance home and claim a second goal in as many games after his return from injury.
The Armeros were spurred on by the goal and went on to enjoy a fine spell, pushing forward in an effort to increase their advantage but the scoreline remained unchanged at the break.
Shortly after the restart, a counter-attack led by Gerard culminated in José Manuel Jurado connecting with a cross to send a looping effort up and into the net.
Almost immediately, Kike García, who was heavily involved throughout, had the chance to have restored the home side's lead, but his shot from point-blank range was parried by the well-placed Diego López.
After getting themselves back on terms, Los Pericos looked to hold onto the scoreline, whilst seeking to pose a threat on the counter, which meant that the home defence had to be alert to avoid a further setback.
However, it was Eibar who went on to dominate and enjoy the better of the chances. The clearest of which came on 58', when following a fine piece of individual play from Pedro León, the ball fell to the feet of Takashi Inui, who contrived to send his shot wide of the upright with just López to beat.
In the 83rd minute, an inch-perfect Pedro León cross from the right was met by Bebé, who unleashed a powerful drilled effort which was kept out by the visitors' custodian.
With the game drawing to a close, Quique Sánchez Flores' troops sought to hold on for a point and were happy to sit back as the clock ticked down.
This result moves Eibar onto 41 points and sees them remain in eighth, a position they will retain regardless of the results elsewhere across this round of fixtures.
Prior to kick-off, a moving and well-observed minute's silence was held in memory of Iker Amutxastegi, a season-ticket holder and member of the Eskozia la Brava supporters' group who passed away in a road accident this week.
Meanwhile, the Eibar players took to the pitch sporting bibs with the Korrika logo and posed with a banner in support of the amateur running race held to promote the Basque language.