Espanyol 1 - 0 Deportivo La Coruna: Espanyol edge out Deportivo La Coruna in battle of Primera Division strugglers

Posted Sunday, February 21, 2016 by PA

Marco Asensio's second-half strike gave Espanyol a vital 1-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna as they tasted victory for the first time in 2016.

The Real Madrid loanee buried the ball into the net from close range after 52 minutes for his first Espanyol goal.

They held on to claim just a second success under coach Constantin Galca, temporarily at least easing the pressure on the Romanian coach.

Espanyol moved further away from the Primera Division relegation zone after winning for the first time since December 19, while Deportivo are now without a league win in nine matches.

Last week Galca's side became the first team in the Primera Division to be beaten by Gary Neville's Valencia, losing 2-1 at the Mestalla despite taking the lead in the second half.

But they appeared emboldened by that cruel defeat, putting pressure on the Galicians for large parts of the first half, although they struggled to test Deportivo goalkeeper German Lux who only had to make one save.

They went ahead seven minutes into the second half as Burgui got down the left side and crossed to Asensio, who controlled with his left foot before rifling into the net.

Lux made a double save later in the half, first denying Gerard Moreno and then frustrating Asensio on the rebound, meaning Espanyol had to wait until the end of injury time before they could be assured of a long-awaited first win this year.