Espanyol welcomed Rayo Vallecano to Barcelona in Sunday's early start in La Liga.
It was the visitors that took a one-goal lead into the break courtesy of an effort from Emiliano Insua.
Espanyol levelled 10 minutes from time, however, when Hector Moreno headed home from close range.
That was where the scoring ended, but the home side finished with 10 men following a late red for Jose Canas.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Barcelona as in-form Espanyol welcome Rayo Vallecano. It is 10th versus 12th in Spain's top flight here, with both teams eyeing a top-half finish. Both are also safe from the threat of relegation at this stage of the season.
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news from Barcelona.
TEAMS:
ESPANYOL: Casilla; Arbilla, Alvaro, Moreno, Duarte; Sanchez, Canas; Montanes, Garcia, Lucas; Caicedo
RAYO: Tono; Tito, Ze Castro, Morcillo, Insua; Trashorras, Baena; Adri, Bueno, Moreno, Miku
So there we have it. Espanyol boss Sergio has no fresh injury concerns or indeed suspensions and has therefore been able to select arguably his strongest XI. Felipe Caicedo will lead the line with support from Sergio Garcia, while Paco Montanes and Lucas Vasquez will occupy the wide positions.
Rayo, meanwhile, are still without the services of Antonio Amaya, Leo Baptistao, Cristian Alvarez and Abdoulaye Ba. Manucho and Nacho Martinez have dropped to the bench, with Miku coming in to lead the line and Emiliano Insua starting at full-back. Gael Kakuta misses out, with Alex Moreno included.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two teams, Espanyol have won three of the last five, with Rayo also winning once and the further match ending in a draw. Earlier this season, Espanyol won 3-1 in the reverse match, but the corresponding game last season ended in a 2-2 draw in Barcelona.
It has been a mixed campaign for Espanyol, but they have only lost one of their last eight in the league, and that was against Barcelona. Thursday's 2-1 win at Granada moved Sergio's side into 10th and they are now just three points from seventh. There is a real battle occurring below sixth-place Villarreal.
Espanyol's home form this season has been strong – winning eight of their 17 games and losing just four times. They have also won four times on the road, but suffered nine defeats in the process. Victory here would see the Barcelona-based team move level on points with seventh-place Athletic Bilbao.
Rayo, meanwhile, will enter the match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Valencia on Thursday. That result left Paco Jemez's side in 11th position in the table, but they have since dropped to 12th. As it stands, they are 12 points clear of the relegation zone and indeed just three points from the top half.
The fact that Rayo are safe at this stage is a credit to the team, but it has been another inconsistent season. They have won 13 of their 34 games – posting seven home wins and six on the road. They are the type of team that could win 4-0, or lose 6-0 in the same breath. Which Rayo will turn up here?
PREDICTION! I have a feeling that this could be an open and entertaining game between two teams who like to attack. I think that you have to favour Espanyol at home, but Rayo will certainly cause problems in the final third. Home win for me, just. Score prediction: Espanyol 2-1 Rayo.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Far from a full house inside the stadium, but there is a good atmosphere as the away side get the first half underway.
It has been a high-tempo start in Barcelona, with both sides attempting to make their mark in the final third. Caicedo has already threatened for the home side, but Tito was across to hack the danger clear.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early minutes, but Espanyol are in control of the possession, with Sanchez and Canas exchanging passes in the final third. It is Miku leading the line for Rayo this afternoon, but the forward has been unable to meet a couple of through passes thus far.
Half-chance for the home side as Lucas drives down the right before delivering a low cross towards Caicedo, but Tono is on hand to collect at the vital moment. Home pressure with six minutes played.
CHANCE! Clearest chance of the match for the home side as Garcia sets up Caicedo just outside the Rayo box, but the striker's low effort is just wide of the post. Should have scored!
Good pressure from the home side in the last couple of minutes, with Lucas delivering two corners from the right, but Rayo manage to clear down-field. Not too much from the away side thus far, but Adri has been a threat in a wide position. The opening 10 minutes have flown past in Barcelona.
Another half-chance for the home side as Garcia breaks into the Rayo box, but Tono was down to make a fairly routine save. Rayo are just conceding possession far too easily at the moment.
Espanyol have the chance to threaten from a free kick just outside the Rayo box, but Arbilla's effort is straight into the wall. The referee spots a handball, however, and the free kick moves forward.
CROSSBAR! Arbilla again stands over the free kick and curls his effort towards the top corner, but it smashes against the crossbar! So unlucky from the defender, who strikes a wonderful ball.
Rayo have not really started in terms of an attacking threat at the moment, with the home side very much on the front foot. However, the score remains goalless with 17 minutes on the clock.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial in this match. Rayo have been under pressure for long spells, but they have managed to keep the score at 0-0 and you fancy that they will have a spell on the front foot as the game develops. It is a good game in Barcelona.
There is a slight stoppage in play as Morcillo receives treatment following a heavy fall, but the Spaniard returns to his feet moments later. Still not too much happening in the final third for the visitors here.
Insua has been nice and bright for Rayo in the last couple of minutes, with the left-back deciding to embark on a number of forward runs. Not too much in the way of an end product, however, which has been the problem thus far. From the opposite side, Tito delivers straight into the arms of Casilla.
Decent pressure from Rayo as they continue to threaten in wide areas, but the quality of the delivery has been short of the required standard thus far. Still goalless with 27 minutes on the clock here.
GOAL! Espanyol 0-1 Rayo (Insua)
Rayo have been on the back foot for long spells of this match, but they strike first in Barcelona as a wonderful team move ends with Bueno setting up Insua, who finishes into the back of the net!
Espanyol attempt to respond down the other end as Caicedo sets up Garcia inside the Rayo box, but Insua is across to make a super challenge and the away side manage to clear their lines again.
There is not too much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment and that is not too much of a surprise following that goal from Insua. The home side are trying to force the issue in the final third, but the likes of Ze Castro and Morcillo are winning the battle at the moment. Rayo lead in Barcelona.
Half-chance for the home side as Garcia manages to scramble his way into the Rayo box before crossing towards the far post, but Tito is across to clear. The resulting corner causes problems inside the box, but the play is stopped when the referee whistles for a free kick. Good Espanyol pressure.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining here.
Half-chance for the away side as Insua once again races forward before combining with Miku, but this time, the defender's effort is wide of the post. Insua has been a real danger for the visitors here.
Espanyol have another opportunity to threaten from a Lucas free kick, but Tono manages to palm clear as another attack from the home side comes to nothing. Frustration for the home supporters here.
Not too much to report in terms of chances as we approach the break, with both teams guilty of losing possession in the final third. Rayo's game-plan has been implemented expertly thus far here.
Baena is down receiving treatment for Rayo as we approach the interval.
HALF-TIME: Espanyol 0-1 Rayo
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Rayo leading 1-0 courtesy of a goal from full-back Insua. Espanyol have had more shots and bright moments in the final third, but it has been a largely frustrating first 45 minutes for the hosts. It has been an entertaining match-up.
STATS! Rayo have dominated the possession with 61%, while they have had four attempts - three of which have been on target. Espanyol, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their eight attempts. There has surprisingly not been a single booking thus far, however, despite 19 fouls.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes of Gonzalez, Stuani and Sevilla all capable of making a difference in Barcelona. Rayo, meanwhile, have attacking options in the shape of Aquino, Luca, Manucho and Quini.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Espanyol find a response in front of their own supporters? It is the home side that get the second 45 underway.
No changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise, but Stuani went through a strong warm-up at the interval and could be imminent for the home side. That could come sooner than expected as Caicedo hits the ground and looks in pain holding his knee...
... Caicedo is indeed stretchered off the field and the change will need to be made.
SUB! The change is made as Stuani replaces the injured Caicedo.
Not too much to report in terms of attacking football in the early moments of this half, with Rayo comfortable in defending their lead. The home supporters will need to stay with their team here.
Espanyol are on the front foot as it stands, but they are struggling to break through the final line of defence. Garcia and Sanchez both have efforts from the edge of the box, but both are blocked.
Half-chance for Rayo this time as Moreno breaks into the Espanyol box before delivering a low cross towards Miku, but Arbilla is across to clear at the vital moment. The visitors are a real danger on the counter attack and a second would make it very complicated for the home side to respond here.
The handbags are out as both sets of players clash following a late challenge from Sanchez. The referee calms Morcillo, who was the player that had taken exception. It is just hotting up here.
BOOKING! Arbilla (Espanyol) is booked for a late challenge on Trashorras.
More frustration for the home side as a couple more offside decisions go in the favour of Rayo. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and Rayo still lead courtesy of that first-half Insua effort.
SUB! Rayo make their first change as Manucho replaces Miku.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with Rayo comfortably dealing with everything that Espanyol have to offer. However, there is still plenty of football remaining here.
BOOKINGS! Tono (Rayo) and Sanchez (Espanyol) are both booked following a clash.
SUB! Espanyol make their second change as Sevilla replaces Montanes.
Stuani attempts to run Morcillo after turning away from the Rayo defender down the right, but the Spaniard keeps pace and is on hand to make the challenge. It just is not happening for the hosts.
Tono again comes to claim a deep cross as Espanyol continue to struggle in the final third. In truth, there has not been a single opportunity of note for either team in this second period thus far.
CHANCE! Finally a chance of note for the home side as Garcia delivers a super cross towards the head of Arbilla, but Morcillo is across to clear at the vital moment. Surely would have been 1-1!
It is super work from Garcia as the Espanyol captain manages to wriggle free on the edge of the box, but the Spaniard just loses control at the vital moment and Tono is out to make the clearance.
SUB! Rayo make their second change as Jozabed replaces Baena.
Possession football from Rayo at the moment as they continue to frustrate the home supporters. It would be some three points if the visitors can survive the final 15 minutes or so unscathed.
It just is not happening for the home side as Garcia again attempts to slide a pass into Canas, but Tono is out to claim before clearing down-field. All the pressure is coming from Espanyol as it stands.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Garcia dances into the box before attempting to thread one into the bottom corner, but Tono stands strong to save with his legs!
GOAL! Espanyol 1-1 Rayo (Moreno)
Espanyol level with 80 minutes on the clock as Moreno heads a super Arbilla cross into the bottom corner. It had been coming and the home side will now fancy claiming all three points here.
Rayo are under real pressure at the moment and will have to work very hard if they are to claim a point from this one. The home supporters are driving their team forward and it is relentless pressure.
CHANCE! Another super chance for the home side as Garcia races through on goal before attempting to slide one past Tono, but once again, the Rayo stopper makes a super save!
SUB! Rayo make their third change as Lica replaces Moreno.
Another half-chance for the home side as Garcia finds space in a wide area before delivering a super cross towards the head of Stuani, but it is just too long and Rayo manage to survive once again.
BOOKING! Duarte (Espanyol) is booked for handball.
Lica twice runs through on goal for Rayo, but the flag was raised on both occasions. Time is just running out if we are to have a winner, but the home supporters are driving their team forward.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes in Barcelona.
Rayo are keeping the ball in the Espanyol half at the moment, which is running down the clock a treat. It would be a better point for Rayo, but their manager Paco Jemez does not particularly like draws!
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances as we approach the very final stages here. Rayo clear another deep cross from Arbilla and it does appear that the points will be shared in Barcelona.
BOOKING! Canas (Espanyol) is booked for a late challenge on Insua.
RED CARD! CANAS!
Canas reacted strongly to the booking and the referee has sent him off! We have seen this in recent weeks, with Jordi Alba and Hector Moreno also seeing red for similar incidents!
FULL-TIME: Espanyol 1-1 Rayo
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close in Barcelona with Rayo claiming a 1-1 draw at Espanyol. The home side remain 10th in the La Liga table, while Rayo have moved above Real Sociedad into 11th. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good afternoon!
