Osasuna welcomed Espanyol to El Sadar on Sunday knowing that three points would move them out of the La Liga relegation zone.
The home side boasted a one-goal lead at the interval following a smart finish from Alvaro Cejudo inside the area.
Espanyol improved in the second period, but could not make the breakthrough as Osasuna held on for a vital three points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Our penultimate live La Liga commentary of the day comes from El Sadar as Osasuna welcome Espanyol. The home side are unbeaten in their last four matches, but a difficult season thus far has left them in 18th position in the table. That said, three points this afternoon would move them out of the danger zone.
Espanyol, meanwhile, picked up a 4-2 win over Real Valladolid in their final league match before the winter break. That result moved them into 10th position in the table, but they have struggled on their travels this season with just two wins from eight matches. Although that is the same number of wins that Osasuna have managed at home this season.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Osasuna have won four of their last five matches, with Espanyol winning just once during that period. As mentioned, the corresponding match last season ended in a 2-0 win for Espanyol, but Osasuna were 3-0 winners in Barcelona when the pair met earlier in the season.
TEAMS:
OSASUNA: Andres; Bertran, Loties, Arribas, Oriol; De las Cuevas, Lolo, Punal, Armenteros; Cejudo, Riera
ESPANYOL: Casilla; Capdevila, Moreno, Colotto, J Lopez; Simao, Abraham, D Lopez; Garcia, Stuani, Cordoba
So there we have it. No Roberto Torres in the Osasuna XI this evening, but Cejudo and Oriol Riera both start. Espanyol, meanwhile, continue with a three-pronged attack of Stuani, Garcia and Cordoba. Right, the home side get the action underway on this mild early evening in Pamplona.
Not a full house inside the stadium, but there is a sensational atmosphere. Bright start from the home side as Cejudo advances down the left before delivering a low cross into the box, but Moreno is across to clear the danger. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of contest.
The first half-chance falls to the home side as Riera is felled by Moreno just outside the Espanyol box. The resulting set piece is taken by Armenteros, but his effort is just wide of the post. That has further raised the noise level inside the stadium.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sergio Garcia to send Espanyol into the lead as he collects a loose ball inside the Osasuna box, but somehow he fires wide of the post. Chances at either end in an entertaining opening six minutes in Pamplona.
Another half-chance for the home side as De las Cuevas tries his luck from outside the box, but Casilla was always comfortable in gathering. Espanyol are down the other end with Simao moments later, but Cordoba cannot make contract with his low cross into the box. Neither side has really taken control of the possession thus far as the opportunities continue to arrive in the early exchanges.
Another half-chance for the home side as Armenteros delivers a wonderful cross towards Riera, but the striker cannot make a decisive contact at the vital moment. Not too much from Espanyol in the last couple of moments, however, as they struggle to keep possession in the middle of the park. Still goalless with 11 minutes on the clock at El Sadar.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Osasuna in no real rush to force the issue. You just get the feeling that the first goal could be decisive in this type of match. Three points for the home side would move them out of the relegation zone.
Just a few signs that Espanyol are starting to warm to their task here as they enjoy a period of possession outside the box. Eventually Garcia finds a low cross into the box, but Lolo is on hand to clear. Just a reminder that following this match we have live text coverage of Sociedad against Bilbao - be sure to remain with us for that one. It is sure to be a real cracker.
Half-chance for the home side on the counter as Cejudo dances past two challenges before attempting to find the top corner, but his effort is wide of the post. He had a couple of teammates in attendance. Still goalless with 17 minutes on the clock at El Sadar. Clear chances have been at a premium.
The home side continue to enjoy more of the ball in the final third as De las Cuevas drives down the left before finding Riera on the edge of the box, but Moreno is across to clear at the vital moment. Not too much for the away supporters to get excited about, however, as each attack continues to break down in the final third.
First real involvement for Cordoba as the Espanyol forward collects a through pass from David Lopez, but the offside flag is raised. Osasuna break down the other end with Cejudo, but once more the Spaniard decides to shoot rather than pass and his effort missed the post, much to the frustration of the home supporters.
CHANCE! Espanyol come close to taking the lead as David Lopez finds some space on the edge of the box before curling one towards the top corner, but Andres Fernandez is on hand to make a fine save. From the resulting corner, Stuani heads just wide of the post. Much better from the away side.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with neither side able to force the issue in the final third. Stuani has another half-chance from a corner, but his effort is once more wide of the post. Little under 20 minutes of the first period remaining in this La Liga contest in Pamplona.
Another half-chance for the away side as Abraham strikes a loose ball from outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Not too much from Osasuna in the last couple of moments, but they remain a threat in wide areas.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Espanyol as Simao finds the head of Moreno inside the Osasuna box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. The better chances have fallen the way of the away side in the opening 31 minutes. However, the score still remains level at 0-0.
Safe to say that the referee is not winning too many friends in the home crowd as decision after decision seems to go the way of Espanyol. Osasuna break moments later with Cejudo, but his cross is cleared by Javi Lopez. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining. Still we await the opening goal.
GOAL! Osasuna 1-0 Espanyol (Cejudo)
The home side take the lead with 33 minutes on the clock as Cejudo dances into the Espanyol box before curling one into the bottom corner. Wonderful finish from the Spaniard.
Espanyol just need to be a little bit careful here as they continue to make late challenges in the middle of the park, with Javi Lopez the latest name to enter the book. It would not be a surprise to see a red card in the second period with this referee taking exception to a number of tackles.
The stop-start nature of the match continues as Cordoba is booked for a high challenge on Punal. In truth, that has been the story of the half thus far. The home supporters are creating a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment as the first period enters its latter stages.
Good pressure from the home side in the last couple of moments as they force two corners in quick succession, but Moreno and Colotto take it in turns to clear the danger. Not too much from Espanyol as an attacking threat, however, with Cordoba struggling for support. Little under five minutes of the first period remaining in this La Liga contest.
Just a reminder that following this match we have live text coverage of arguably the game of the weekend as Real Sociedad welcome Athletic Bilbao - be sure to remain with us for that one. Back to this match, Armenteros is the latest name to enter the referee's book for a poor challenge on Cordoba.
Good possession for Espanyol in the latter stages of the half, but they are finding it difficult to break through this Osasuna defence. The home side are on the counter moments later with Oriol, but his effort is straight into the arms of Casilla from close range.
HALF TIME: Osasuna 1-0 Espanyol
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Osasuna leading 1-0 courtesy of a fine finish from Cejudo after 33 minutes. Espanyol have had their moments during an entertaining first period, but have thus far been unable to find the back of the net. It is delicately poised ahead of the second 45 minutes.
STATISTICS: The home side have just about shaded the possession with 51%, while they have had eight attempts to Espanyol's five. Four of Osasuna's attempts have been on target, but Espanyol have tested Fernandez just once.
BENCH WATCH: Osasuna have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Roberto Torres, Loe, Jose Garcia and Silva. Meanwhile, Espanyol have the likes of Bifouma, Pizzi and Lanzarote in reserve. Both have players that could make a difference from the sidelines.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive in terms of the final result. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes underway. Can Espanyol respond?
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect changes will be made if the score remains 1-0 in around 20 minutes time. Surely Espanyol will be more progressive in the final third. Osasuna, as it stands, are heading for just their third home win of the season.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the second half, but Espanyol are enjoying more of the ball. Cordoba has a sight of goal moments later, but he swings and misses inside the box. It hasn't been his night thus far that is for certain.
Half-chance for the home side as Riera is felled by Moreno outside the box. The resulting set piece is delivered by Cejudo, but Armenteros cannot make proper contact at the far post and the danger is cleared. Cejudo has a header at the near post moments later, but it is wide of the post.
You just get the feeling that Osasuna will need to score again if they are to take all three points from this contest. Espanyol have shown their threat on the counter and seem to be growing into the occasion. A period of possession follows for the away side, but the move breaks down when Stuani loses possession in the final third.
Half-chance for the away side as Fernandez is forced to come out and clear under pressure from Cordoba, it falls to David Lopez, but his effort is high and wide. Not too much from Osasuna in the last couple of moments, but Riera remains a threat with his pace and movement in the final third.
Osasuna just cannot keep hold of the ball at the moment as the away side continue to force the issue in the final third. Still no movement on either bench, but it would not be a surprise to see changes introduced in the next five minutes or so. Little over 30 minutes for Espanyol to recover.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as Garcia finds Cordoba with a fine through pass, but the Colombian striker can only flash his effort wide of the post. You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals this evening. It has been a highly entertaining match in Pamplona.
Espanyol make their first change of the match as Simao is replaced by Pizzi, which is not much of a surprise. The former has struggled to influence proceedings this evening. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but Osasuna have managed to quell some of the Espanyol pressure.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with the challenges flying in from both sides. Osasuna have a free kick in a dangerous position, but Cejudo's delivery is cleared by Moreno. It remains 1-0 with little under 25 minutes of football remaining.
Half-chance for the away side as a dangerous cross from Stuani falls to David Lopez just outside the box, but the Spaniard cannot make proper contact. Osasuna attempt to break with Punal, but cannot keep possession as the pressure continues. Little over 20 minutes remaining. Osasuna continue to hold onto their one-goal lead.
Osasuna look to their bench for the first time as Roberto Torres replaces De las Cuevas, who appears to be struggling with an injury. Another free kick arrives for the home side moments later, but Riera's header is straight into the arms of Casilla, who has had a fairly comfortable second period in Pamplona.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as Cordoba finds Stuani on the edge of the box, but his low effort is pushed wide of the post by Fernandez. Back-to-back corners follow, but Lolo and Loties take it in turns to clear the danger.
Riera remains the main threat for the home side as he gathers a through pass from Torres before turning on the edge of the box, but his effort is blocked by Moreno. Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of moments as the challenges continue to arrive in the middle of the park.
Espanyol make their second change of the match as Abraham is replaced by Alex Fernandez, who will provide pace and movement in the final third. You just get the feeling that opportunities will arrive in the latter stages. As it stands, Osasuna are moving out of the bottom three.
End-to-end match in the last couple of moments with Osasuna searching for their second of the match. Espanyol break with Cordoba down the other end moments later, but Fernandez manages to clear at the vital moment. Garcia collects a loose ball moments later, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
Osasuna look to their bench once more as Cejudo, whose goal is the difference at the moment, is replaced by Silva. Espanyol continue to force the issue in the final third, but Osasuna have defended well thus far.
It's brilliant work from Riera as the Osasuna forward runs the channel for the home side before finding Lolo, but his cross is cleared by Moreno. You can just sense the nerves inside the stadium. Three points would be vital for Osasuna at this stage of the season, but Espanyol always have a goal in them. Little over five minutes of football remaining.
Espanyol continue to deliver deep balls into the Osasuna box, but it just will not fall for a blue and white shirt. The home supporters remain in good voice as their side continue to hold on in the latter stages. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Sociedad against Bilbao - be sure to remain with us for that.
Opportunity for the away side as Garcia is felled on the edge of the box by Loties. The resulting set piece is taken by Pizzi, but Capevila can only head over from close range. Little over one minute of normal time remaining. Osasuna are almost there.
The home side make their third and final change as Armenteros is replaced by Oier, which is not much of a surprise. Backs against the wall in the latter stages. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes and we are into the first of those. Can Espanyol rescue a point?
Espanyol continue to force the issue with a series of crosses into the Osasuna box, but the home side manage to quell the danger before launching a counter of their own. Time is running out for the away side with little under a minute remaining.
PENALTY SHOUT! Espanyol should have a penalty as Oier handles inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Osasuna have got away with one there and it might have won them the match.
FULL TIME: Osasuna 1-0 Espanyol
So there we have it. Cejudo's first-half goal is enough to secure all three points for Osasuna. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Sociedad against Bilbao. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
