Desperate to win the relegation dogfight, both sides had a go at each other from the outset without reservations, with Nico Melamed and Portu leading the charge up front for Espanyol and Getafe respectively.
It took a good 24 minutes for the first real chances to arrive, with Getafe shot-stopper David Soria playing spoilsport, remarkably denying Martin Braithwaite and Melamed with successive world-class saves.
The goalkeeper was then tasked with stopping a penalty after the ball struck Carlos Alena’s arm during the run of play.
Despite perfectly guessing the direction of Joselu’s shot, the Real Madrid youth product could barely lay a finger on the powerful drive from 12 yards that lodged into the top corner, leaving interim manager Jose Bordalas to ponder tactical adjustments going forward.
Getafe adopted an outgoing approach once the match resumed after the break, and came close to equalising via Domingos Duarte’s diving header which whizzed past the woodwork.
Growing in confidence, the visitors kept charging forward with successive chances falling for Enes Unal and Gonzalo Villar, but the hosts proved sturdy at the back, ultimately squeezing a first win at home in four games.
Despite securing their first victory since February, Luis Garcia’s men still remain in the relegation places, one ahead of Getafe, who succumb to a third straight head-to-head defeat for the first time since 2011.
Getafe remain rooted in 19th position following a sixth loss on the trot and face a tough task to extend their six-year stint in the top flight now.
