We suffer a frustrating defeat in Barcelona following Martin Braithwaite’s brace
Martin Braithwaite’s brace saw us fall to a frustrating 2-1 defeat at RCD Espanyol after Vedat Muriqi had pulled us level.
Following his first LaLiga goal, Tino Kadewere retained his place to provide pace in attack next Muriqi.
We had our first opportunity of the game in the 11th minute when Dani Rodríguez fired wide after Jaume Costa had teed him up.
Kang-In Lee was next to try his luck minutes later, although the South Korean could not get his attempt on target.
Aleix Vidal capitalised on a momentary lapse of judgement at the back to tee up Braithwaite to open the scoring in the 22nd minute.
We were level five minutes before half-time courtesy of Muriqi’s fine curling effort from outside the box as we headed into the break level.
The hosts were in front again six minutes after the restart when Braithwaite found time and space inside the box following a loose ball to fire home into the far corner.
A fine save from Pacheco denied Angel from close range as he managed to get an outstretched leg onto a loose ball in the box in the 70th minute.
We tried desperately to get a late leveller, although our efforts would ultimately go unrewarded as we suffered defeat in Barcelona.
RCD Mallorca: Rajkovic; Pablo Maffeo, Valjent (Ángel, 69’), Raíllo, Nastasic, Jaume Costa (Morlanes, 90’); Dani Rodríguez (Abdón, 90’), Galarreta; Kang In Lee, Kadewere (Amath, 69’) y Muriqi.
