Match Analysis: Espanyol 3-2 Mallorca

Espanyol overturned a half-time deficit to beat Mallorca 3-2 in a tight clash at the bottom of La Liga tonight.

Simao opened the scoring with a fine free-kick before a double from Giovani dos Santos and Javi Marquez put the visitors in front.

In the second half Joan Verdu and Raul Baena notched a goal each before Antonio Luna was sent off late on.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the game.

Match statistics:

Espanyol: Shots 18 On target 7 Possession 50% Corners 8 Fouls 19

Mallorca: Shots 11 On target 3 Possession 50% Corners 2 Fouls 17

Was the result fair?

Just about, on balance. Espanyol did create more in the 90 minutes but they have Mallorca's profligacy to thank that they got all three points. Twice late on the visitors wasted glorious openings, once at 2-2 and once at 3-2 down. Overall, though, Espanyol played the better football.

Espanyol's performance

For longer spells of the game they were on top, but they had an alarming inability to defend when they didn't have the ball. The penalty for Verdu's equaliser was correct, but still fortuitous but otherwise they were the more clinical side and deserved the win.

Mallorca's performance

At times, very good. At others, poor. Giovani dos Santos was by far their best player, but he could not do it all alone and the eventual lack of support told. They also squandered two glorious chances to claim something from the game.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Giovani dos Santos: Although he was on the losing team, Dos Santos at times seemed to be the only player for Mallorca. His goal was brilliantly taken and should have had an assist too but for Victor Casadesus's shocking miss.

Biggest gaffe

There can be no other contender than the miss from Casadesus. With under 20 minutes left, and the score locked at 2-2 Casadesus was brilliantly played in by Dos Santos but somehow missed the target from five yards. This is not only for how bad the miss was, but also the importance of it. A potential three points became none.

Referee performance

Carlos Clos Gomez did alright, but can be accused of not allowing the game to flow. He whistled for 36 fouls in all and was all too happy to show the card. The red card for Luna was a little soft and he could have been allowed to stay on. For the penalty, however, he was spot on.

What next?

Espanyol: The hosts will look to continue their current fine run of form with a trip to Real Zaragoza.

Mallorca: The visitors will look to recover next, but they have a tricky encounter at home to high-flying Malaga.