Villarreal out-chanced Espanyol but lose to a 60th-minute goal

Espanyol won 1-0 at the Estadio de la Cerámica with less of the ball and fewer shots, and Leandro Cabrera's 60th-minute goal decided it.

Villarreal had more of the ball, more shots inside the box and the better chances, and still went home beaten. The decisive moment came in the 60th minute, when Leandro Cabrera scored from a pass by Bryan Zaragoza. Espanyol had earlier seen a goal ruled out by VAR, so one strike ended up settling the match.

Possession is where Espanyol's result looks most unusual. Villarreal had 63% of the ball, a little above the share they usually keep at home. Espanyol had 37%, well short of what they normally hold when they travel, and still left with all three points.

Villarreal's shooting was also below their usual level. They took 14 shots, seven of them from inside the box, but only four were on target. The more useful measure is expected goals, or xG, which scores each chance by how likely it was to go in based on where and how it was taken. Villarreal's total of 0.92 fell well short of the 1.56 they usually create at home, while Espanyol managed 0.26 from far fewer efforts.

Cabrera's goal came from his only shot of the match, which is the sort of finish that makes a low-volume afternoon count. Villarreal's home goals average is considerably higher than the nothing they scored here, despite a comfortable territorial share. Espanyol's goalkeeper, Ángel Fortuño, made five saves, and his rating of 8.3 was the best of any player listed for either side. Villarreal's Gulácsi made two saves at the other end.

VAR removed Espanyol's goal in the 50th minute, which denied them an early lead on the balance of play. Both sides picked up three yellow cards and neither was sent off. Villarreal's first changes came at 59, the goal followed a minute later, and Espanyol's replacements went on at 61. The final stages were tidy rather than chaotic, with the scoreline unchanged to the end.

Villarreal sit 10th with 12 points from 10 matches, having scored 15 and conceded 14. Espanyol are 18th on eight points, with 12 scored and the same 14 conceded. Espanyol remain 18th, and the 14 goals they have let in are exactly the number Villarreal have conceded.

Player of the matchÁngel Fortuño5 saves8.3

Bryan Zaragoza1 assist7.2

Renato Veiga1 chance created7.1

Gabriel Moscardo4 duels won7.1