Celta Vigo 1 - 0 Espanyol: Ten-man Celta see off Espanyol

Celta Vigo tightened their grip on fourth spot in the Primera Division as Iago Aspas netted the only goal in a 1-0 win at home to Espanyol.

The Galicians had to play almost the entire second half with 10 men after Pablo Hernandez was sent off, but the visitors were unable to capitalise.

Both sides took their time to settle into the match and it was not until nearly the half-hour mark that openings began to appear.

Theo Bongonda had the first chance for the hosts, shooting just wide of goal, and then Victor Alvarez squandered a great opportunity to put the visitors ahead, scuffing a cutback from Rafa Fuentes from close range.

It was Aspas who finally broke the deadlock, racing towards goal from the halfway line and lobbing the ball over Pau Lopez.

Celta thought they had doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time when Bongonda turned in a cross from Fabian Orellana, but he was harshly ruled offside.

Celta were reduced to 10 men just three minutes into the second half when Hernandez clashed heads with Pape Diop, but they almost scored again a moment later, Aspas striking the bar.

But the Galicians were grateful to goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez for preserving the three points, the goalkeeper saving Antonio Raillo's header with six minutes to go.