Las Palmas draw (1-1) in the visit to the RCDE Stadium

UD Las Palmas came into the match against RCD Espanyol under no pressure. With relegation confirmed, the yellows tried to play football and turn in a good performance. Their rivals also were in need of a good performance and a win, because the end of season has not been that pleasant for them either. 

The home team took the game to the visitors in the opening exchanges. After just five minutes they could have gone ahead, but Melendo, with a one on one with Chichizola, hit the ball wide. A header soon after by Sergio García was easily saved by the Argentinian goalkeeper.  

Las Palmas played with more fluency than in recent games, and gradually got balls into space that both Nacho Gil and Calleri were able to cross into the box. The yellows do not have a natural goal scorer, and home goalkeeper Pau López was rarely called into action. In the 28th minute Las Palmas went ahead through Calleri who scored from the spot. Ezekiel had stolen possession and his cross hit a defender’s hand. It was a clear penalty.

Espanyol then began to get forward with crosses coming in from both wings. Gerard Moreno was the player to most unsettle the away team’s back line. He was well marked by Gálvez and Ximo Navarro during the first half. Half time came with the yellows holding their slender lead. 

UD Las Palmas then had two chances early in the second half. Firstly a backheel by Vicente Gómez, and then a shot by Ezekiel that the Español defence blocked right on the goal line. The home team looked groggy while the yellows played some fine football. They just needed a second goal to settle the match. 

Espanyol then came fighting back, as they offer a dangerous threat up front. In the 56th minute, Gerard Moreno headed against the crossbar. He then latched on to the rebound but Chichizola blocked his shot. Once again the Argentinian stopper was having a fine match. He then stretched to turn around a curling effort by Sergio García (min. 70) to make another superb save. Five minutes later Gerard Moreno equalised for Espanyol. Either team could have gone on to win, but the 1-1 scoreline was the fairest result. So the news of the day was that Las Palmas came away undefeated.