UD Las Palmas bid farewell to 2017 at the Estadio Gran Canaria, as they salvaged a point when they looked to be losing. They had the chance to win in the 90th minute with a penalty by Jonathan Viera that was saved by Pau López. The game finished in a 2-2 draw thanks to a sterling comeback by the home team.
Las Palmas came out with the intention of keeping the ball, to push forward at every opportunity, and to cover any attempts by Espanyol to catch them on the counter. It all looked good until a long through ball in behind the central defenders ended with Español going ahead (min. 19), with Gerard finishing the move. The odd spurts down the left wing by Remy hardly unsettled the Catalan team’s back line, who looked solid all afternoon.
The game turned ugly again for the home team. Both teams showed their intent. Las Palmas preferred to keep possession, while Espanyol looked to get the ball forward quickly when they could. Baptistao and Gerard were constantly looking to get in behind Lemos and Bigas, who were over-run.
The home team, who lacked confidence in their play, conceded a second goal just before half time. A great individual piece of play by Sergio García was finished off by Gerard who tapped into an open goal (min. 42). Half time came with a clear advantage for the away team, leaving the home fans unsettled at the Estadio Gran Canaria.
A combination of thrust, effort and faith by the yellows in the second half was more than enough to get them back on terms. The referee ruled out a goal by Calleri in the 70th minute for offside. Then with just ten minutes left on the clock, a goal by Remy put Las Palmas back in the match and with it the chance to get something out of the game.
Espanyol held back trying to keep things simple, which was no good to them as a header by Calleri in the 88th minute made the scores 2-2. With four minutes of added time already played, Jonathan Viera failed to convert a penalty that would have given the yellows the victory they yearned for. In the third game with Paquito Ortiz in charge of the team, Las Palmas at least showed signs of getting back some self esteem they seemed to have lost this season.
