Espanyol fight back

Espanyol came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Celta Vigo in La Liga on Monday night.

Charles proved there is life after Iago Aspas at Celta Vigo, but their problems were in attack and not defence as they let a two-goal lead slip in a 2-2 draw against Espanyol. Aspas left the Balaidos to head to Liverpool over the summer and Charles was recruited from Almeria to plug the gap. He made an immediate impact, netting a second goal after Alex Lopez had opened the scoring, but the home side could not hold their lead. In between some breathtaking goalkeeping from Francisco Casilla, Espanyol pulled one back through Victor Sanchez and then added a second through substitute Koulossa Thievy. It was a real collapse from Celta, who led at the break as just reward for an opening half of industry that kept Espanyol penned back. Borja Oubina cracked a 20-yarder over the bar and although Christian Stuani responded with a low hit which Yoel saved, the home side remained on top. Augusto Fernandez's shot was tipped around the post by Casilla, while Lopez forced the keeper into another brilliant stop with a six-yard effort. The former Spain youth international would find a way through, though, taking in Michael Krohn-Delhi's pass and tucking in with three minutes of the half left. Simao Sabrosa led a response with a shot blocked by Juan Fuentes, but nothing would come of it and, two minutes after the break, Charles added a second. Krohn-Deli was again at the heart of it, swinging in a left-wing cross which Charles nodded in to make the perfect first impression. The same man would have made it two in as many minutes were it not for the recovering Hector Moreno, but surprisingly the next goal went to the visitors. Victor Sanchez was the scorer, cracking in from 20 yards to give his men a chance they scarcely deserved. Krohn-Delhi tried to restore order as he went close from range, but sensing a chance, Espanyol stepped up and Koulossa Thievy worked Yoel. The visitors were then indebted to Casilla for a string of fine saves which kept them in touch, with Krohn-Dehli, Augusto Fernandez and Rafinha all repelled. And the stopper's heroics were rewarded not long after when Thievy tucked away Javi Lopez's pass with 15 minutes left. Gustavo Cabral then made Casilla work again, while the last chance of a breathless affair went to Stuani, who headed over and denied his men what would have been a thrilling come-from-behind win.