Espanyol peg back Palermo

A goal in added time earned RCD Espanyol a valuable point from their UEFA Cup Group B match with against US Città di Palermo. Moisés Hurtado Pérez struck to keep the Spanish side just a point behind their opponents, who had led through a Mariano Gonzalez goal on the stroke of half-time.

Home pressure
Espanyol had begun well with Jofre Mateu González firing wide in the sixth minute as the hosts wasted no time to put pressure on the visitors' goal. However, the tide was soon to turn as Palermo gradually came more and more into the game. In the 29th minute Andrea Barzagli played in a dangerous cross which was headed just over the crossbar by González. Franco Brienza was next to try his luck for the Sicilian outfit with a shot that whistled just past the post.

González opener
Espanyol hit back however, with Luis García having a header blocked by Leandro Rinaudo at the expense of a corner. Following that González missed the target for the visitors with another dangerous strike after 40 minutes, but enjoyed better fortune five minutes later. Paul Codrea was the creator with a cross towards the Argentinian, whose right-footed volley found the bottom corner of the net.

Guardalben heroics
In the second half, Palermo goalkeeper Matteo Guardalben did well to keep out a shot from Iván de la Peña before producing an even better stop to deny Ferrán Corominas Telechea just after the hour mark. At the other end, Simone Barone forced a save from Gorka Iraizoz, and with ten minutes remaining Palermo could have settled the match but for the dangerous González having his shot blocked by De la Peña.

Late drama
Just as it seemed Palermo would get their second victory in the group with the game drifting into added time, the Catalan team finally got the goal they had been seeking as Moisés met a De la Peña cross to head in. There was still time for Codrea to be dimissed for a second bookable offence for the visitors, adding to Palermo's feeling of disappointment despite the consolation of a point that was good enough for them to take over at the head of Group B.