Espanyol gave a treasure in Elche that could cost them direct promotion. For the third game in a row, the blue and white team did not go beyond a draw, and at the height of the season they do not know how to win. Twice he took the lead at the Martínez Valero. Twice he was unable to maintain that precious asset that is three points. Despite this, the point cannot be considered bad because the image of Manolo González’s team was once again disappointing. With no triumphs to put in their mouths, the climb gets further and further away.

Far from what was proclaimed by the sports management, the arrival of Manolo González has turned Espanyol into an eminently defensive team out of pure necessity. Week after week, dominance belongs to the rival, including the best chances, regardless of their background. From Zaragoza to Albacete, passing through Andorra or, yesterday, Elche. They have all given lessons in the static game to the blue and whites, who, fortunately, have more firepower up front.

Despite this maxim that is fulfilled game by game, Espanyol had a dream start at the Martínez Valero. Only two minutes had passed when Puado and Braithwaite combined perfectly so that the former took advantage of the Dane’s center and beat the Argentine Dituro at will. That laboratory action was premonitory, because Espanyol shined on the counterattack and suffered, once again, with the ball. Their rival, much more capable of building, dominated the match at will, although at the beginning Espanyol was more dangerous. In fact, Puado and Jofre touched second in another quick action.

The joy lasted a few minutes for González’s team, who too soon decided to sink Jofre and form with a five-man defense. Elche managed to tie thanks to a fantastic shot close to Mourad’s post from the edge of the area. Joan García could do nothing, one more day very much the protagonist with his stops.

As the minutes passed, Espanyol found it increasingly difficult to counterattack and were at the mercy of a patient opponent with a great offensive vocation. The chances, rare despite everything, came due to errors in the construction of the blue and white. Gragera and Sergi Gómez were in the photograph in a couple of them, in which Nico Castro was not successful. At half-time the blue and white team called for a truce, with no football solutions to turn around a very uncomfortable situation.

But nothing changed after the restart. Elche’s pressure continued to suffocate a team incompetent in static play, which once again survived thanks to its defensive expertise. It was the changes that revived a disoriented team. González, who could not be on the bench due to suspension, was brave in promoting Pere Milla and Gastón Valles, and his team anesthetized Elche and went for the game. He didn’t need the blue and white team too much to find a prize that was perhaps excessive for his merits. Omar went deep down the right and his cross was finished off with a very powerful header by Braithwaite, the goal man of this championship who has reached 20 goals.

When victory seemed in hand, Elche achieved the tie from a set piece, the work of Donald. With the tie came a new disappointment. Two other points that disappeared. Too many already for a team with such an ambitious goal and for which the only thing left to do is win in the remainder of the championship.

Elche: Dituro, Carreira, Gaspar (Febas 75), Bigas, Morente, Nico Castro (Diego González 83), John Donald, Josan, Bermejo (Plano 56), Mourad and Fernández Mercau (Puigmal 83).

Entrepreneur: Beccacece

Espanyol: Joan García, El Hilali, Sergi Gómez, Cabrera, Brian Oliván, Gragera, Pol Lozano (Pere Milla 54), Aguado (Víctor Ruiz 87), Jofre (Gastón Valles 67), Puado (Keidi Bare 87) and Braithwaite.

Coach: Manolo González

Stadium: Martínez Valero (21,008 spectators).

Referee: Moreno Aragón (c. Madrid).

Cards: Sergi Gómez, Lozano, Donald, Gragera, Bigas, El Hilali.

Goles: 0-1 Puado (2). 1-1. Mourad (12). 1-2 Braithwaite (71). 2-2. Donald (81).