Sergio Garcia scored a double to lift RCD Espanyol to a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Sunday, while CA Osasuna continued their strong start with a 2-1 win over Sporting de Gijon.
In Barcelona, Espanyol went ahead in a frenetic first half when 20-year-old striker Alvaro Vazquez crossed for a charging Garcia to smash home a header in the 25th minute.
Espanyol goalkeeper Cristian Alvarez made a number of excellent saves, but the Argentine could only watch in the 62nd minute when Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente rose above two defenders to head home Markel Susaeta’s corner.
Photo: EPA
Just when Bilbao looked close to a second goal, Garcia took advantage of a pair of defensive mistakes to put the hosts back in front for good in the 73rd minute. Garcia slipped behind the distracted defense to tap on a free-kick that goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz spilled in front of his net for the former Real Zaragoza forward to finish off.
The game featured the reunion of Bilbao’s new coach Marcelo Bielsa and his former protege Mauricio Pochettino, who was mentored by Bielsa as a young defender with Newells Old Boys.
“Yes, the pupil has beaten the master,” Bielsa said after his team failed to get their first victory. “The team’s performance wasn’t good and the difference could be seen on the pitch. If Bilbao’s fans have doubts, they’re justified.”
Always tough at Stadio Reyno de Navarra, Osasuna dominated early en route to handing a lackluster Sporting their second straight loss.
Osasuna striker Kike Sola picked out Juan “Nino” Martinez at the far post for the winger to score from close range in the 28th minute and two minutes later midfielder Alvaro Cejudo volleyed in Sergio Fernandez’s cross from the edge of the area.
Second-half substitute David Barral pulled one back for Sporting in the 75th minute when goalkeeper Andres Fernandez let his dipping shot slip under him and into the net.
Sporting looked for an equalizer, but undefeated Osasuna held on for the win in their opener at home.
“[Fernandez] knows what happened, but he was brave and showed he has character,” Osasuna coach Jose Luis Mendilibar said. “Today, I take away what we did well, although we have to play smarter when we get tired.”
Elsewhere, Levante UD could not take advantage of their extra man in the final 10 minutes after Real Racing Club de Santander midfielder Papakouly Diop was sent off after two yellow cards and they had to settle for a 0-0 away draw.
Real Zaragoza failed to bounce back from their 6-0 loss to Real Madrid the previous weekend as they were held to a 0-0 draw by promoted Rayo Vallecano de Madrid.
New goalkeeper Roberto Jimenez salvaged Zaragoza an away draw when he blocked Javi Fuego’s spot-kick in the 70th minute after defender Paulo da Silva handled in the area.
“[Roberto] had a good day,” said coach Javier Aguirre, whose Zaragoza have yet to score a goal.
“The team took a point and left with the feeling that it could have been worse,” he said.
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