Cadiz came out of the blocks fast and had the first chance of the game inside the opening minute, as Ruben Sobrino rose highest to meet a Joseba Zaldua cross, but his header went over the bar. Los Piratas continued to be the more dominant force as they pushed for an opening goal, with Luis Hernandez heading wide from a corner. The hosts continued to probe at the Espanyol defence, as Zaldua charged down the right before trying to square the ball to Alvaro Negredo, but a defender intercepted at the last minute to deny an almost certain goal.
Los Periquitos almost took the lead against the run of play when Nico Melamed received the ball from a short corner and whipped in a cross that would have crept in at the back post if it weren't for Jermias Ledesma in the Cadiz goal. However, it was the home side that deservedly took the lead, after Espanyol failed to deal with a corner and left Victor Chust unmarked in the six-yard box to stab home a free shot.
The visitors equalised just after the break as Joselu headed a lovely header into the bottom corner from an enticing delivery from Brian Olivan. Los Periquitos almost came from behind to take the lead, as Aleix Vidal raced forward before squaring to Joselu only for Ledesma to make a stunning save, keeping the home side level. Espanyol took the lead midway through the second half, as Joselu was played through by Edu Exposito, before slamming a shot into the near top corner.
Joselu almost completed his hat-trick with 15 minutes left to play, as Vinicius Souza beat his man before cutting the ball back across goal, but the Spaniard couldn't steer his shot beyond Ledesma. Cadiz equalised shortly after when Lucas Perez rifled in a cross from Alfonso Espino and Perez went remarkably close to stealing all three points for Cadiz with just a minute left as he rattled the crossbar with a free-kick.
The game ended in a stalemate with both sides continuing to languish around the relegation places, as Cadiz remained second bottom with just one win so far this season. Meanwhile, Espanyol sit one place above the bottom three in 17th due to their goal difference.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Joselu (RCD Espanyol de Barcelona)
