Vedat Muriqi’s last-minute winner sees us come back from behind
Vedat Muriqi’s last-minute penalty saw us come from behind to beat RCD Espanyol 2-1 ahead of the international break.
Jagoba Arrasate opted to return to a back four with Jose Copete out suspended while Sergi Darder faced his former side.
Takuma Asano almost gave us the lead in the 14th minute when he latched onto a low cross into the box, although our winger could not get his effort on target.
Chances were few and far between in the first half as we were limited to a handful of half chances and we headed into the break goalless.
The visitors took the lead in the 53rd minute when a rehearsed corner routine ended up with Muriqi flicking the ball into his own net.
Our striker had a chance to make amends in the 62nd minute from the penalty spot after Johan Mojica was hauled down, although his effort was saved by Joan Garcia.
We did not have to wait much longer to get level as in the 65th minute Asano produced a diving header to latch onto Darder’s cross and find the bottom corner.
We thought we had a penalty in the 75th minute for a handball which was originally given, but a VAR review ruled out the foul.
There was still drama to come when Muriqi won us a second penalty in the closing minutes of the game, although again he was denied by Joan Garcia who got down well to save.
Our striker would get another attempt from the spot as a VAR review adjudged the visitors to encroached and the Kosovan made no mistake from 12 yards this time with a thumping effort into the top corner to give us all three points.