Villarreal strengthened their push near the top of La Liga after cruising to a 4-1 victory over Espanyol on Monday, pulling level on points with third-placed Atletico Madrid.
Goals from Georges Mikautadze, Nicolas Pepe and Alberto Moleiro, along with an own goal by Jose Salinas, lifted the Yellow Submarine to 45 points. However, a late strike from Leandro Cabrera denied them the chance to move above Atletico, who retain third place on goal difference.
Atletico’s 2-1 defeat to Real Betis on Sunday had opened the door for Villarreal to close the gap. While Diego Simeone’s side remain ahead by a single goal in the difference column, Villarreal hold a game in hand.
Espanyol’s struggles continued as they suffered a fourth straight defeat. Despite the loss, the Catalan side remain in contention for a UEFA Conference League spot, sitting just one point ahead of Celta Vigo and four behind Betis.
Mikautadze put Villarreal in front in the 35th minute with a sharp swivelling volley from close range after Tajon Buchanan’s knock-down. The hosts doubled their lead just before half-time when Salinas turned Alberto Moleiro’s low cross into his own net.
Pepe made it 3-0 early in the second half, cutting inside from the edge of the area before firing a low left-footed shot past the goalkeeper. Moleiro added the fourth in the 55th minute, finishing calmly after finding space inside the box during a quick counter-attack.
Cabrera headed home a corner in the 88th minute to reduce the deficit, but the goal came too late to change the outcome as Espanyol’s poor run of form continued.
