The Villarreal vs Espanyol match provided a one sided La Liga match with the Yellow submarine riding past the Catalan team with a 4-1 victory. It was the most persuasive performance of Villarreal in weeks and a robust reaction to the recent difficulties. Only one point of their last three matches the team had made. This victory shifted the mood in a different direction.
In the first minutes Villarreal appeared keener. Their passing was quicker. Their movement was decisive. Espanyol was unable to find his feet and before the end of the first half, he was the one who paid. Georges Mikautadze put up the first score with a piece of genius. He got a smart header by Tajon Buchanan and scored a scissor kick acrobatic goal. This was a dream that gave the whole stadium an uplift.
The pressure continued. Villarreal increased the lead to two goals in six minutes only. In an attempt to clear the danger Jose Salinas hit the ball into his own net. Espanyol looked shaken. Villarreal looked ruthless.
The second half was a similar case. It was an early strike by Nicolas Pepe. He was very composed in front of the box and made a low shot past the goalkeeper. The purpose was an indication of confidence and attacking depth of Villarreal. It took Alberto Moleiro five minutes to make it 4-0. He completed a furious sally with composure.
Espanyol, however, obtained a late consolation, which did not alter anything. Villarreal dictated the pace up to the final whistle. The outcome was the worst loss of the season by Espanyol and their vulnerability on the defensive front.
