1-1: A POINT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN MORE

We were held to a draw by RCD Espanyol in a game that dominated almost from the opening whistle but paid dearly for the visitors taking their chances and an excellent performance from Joan García in goal. After going behind on the scoreboard with 15 minutes played with the away side's first shot of the game, we did not give up in our search of a comeback as we sought to make it back-to-back wins in the league. Badé, who had a goal disallowed at the start of the second half, scored the equaliser with half an hour left to set up a grandstand finish but the winner would not come at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.

After the start of the game was halted due to an injury to one of the linesmen, Vargas burst away on the left flank and tried his luck with a powerful shot that drifted wide in the first chance of note in the game. On the opposite flank, Lukébakio crossed powerfully into the area but neither Sow nor Vargas could get a decisive touch. With their first dangerous attack, Espanyol were able to open the scoring. Kumbulla, found himself unmarked and beat Nyland with a powerful volley. Lukébakio got the fans off their seats at the midway point of the first half with a great left-footed shot that crashed against the crossbar after a superb save by Joan Garcia.

Lukebakio and Badé hit the woodwork in the first half  

In the ensuing corner kick, Badé rose higher than anyone else in the visiting area to crash the ball against the post after a great header. Dodi Lukebakio, once again went on a mazy run and played the ball inside into Juanlu whose shot was blocked, as we went into the break trailing. 

With the same impetus with which they ended the first half, we started the second forty-five minutes looking to attack. Rubén Vargas, who was lively throughout, found Lukebakio on the left wing, who was denied by a brilliant save again from Joan García. From the corner kick, Loïc Badé took advantage of a rebound in the area to score, although it was disallowed by VAR due to a foul. Seven minutes later there was no denying the Frenchman as he dribbled goalwards before unleashing an unstoppable strike from distance unleashing euphoria in the stadium.  

Espanyol defended deep as they sought to see out the point but they were once again thankful to Joan García in the closing stages after he made yet another good save to keep out Lukebakio. Antonetti came on for his debut as Pimienta emptied the bench in search of a winner but it wouldn't come. Next up we travel to face Getafe CF in a week's time. 

GAME DETAILS 

1. SEVILLA FC: Nyland, Juanlu (Antonetti, 80'), Badé, Gudelj, Carmona, Saúl, Sambi, Sow, Vargas (Agoumé, 83'), Lukébakio and Peque (Ejuke, 62'). 

1. RCD ESPANYOL: Joan García, El Hihali, Cabrera, Kumbulla, B. Oliván (Carlos Romero, 19'), Tejero (Calero, 72'), Pol Lozano (Urko González, 67'), Král, Jofre (Edu Expósito, 67'), Roberto (Véliz, 72') and Puado.

GOALS:1-0: Kumbulla, 14'. 1-1: Badé, 62'.

REFEREE: Cordero Vega. Yellow cards for Juanlu, Roberto, Tejero, Pol Lozano and Edu Expósito.