Villarreal secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory at RCD Espanyol, achieving their highest points total at this stage of the LaLiga season since 2010/11.

The visitors were tested early as Luiz Junior made a flying save to keep out Tyrhys Dolan’s teasing cross, while Espanyol dominated possession in the opening stages. Roberto Fernández was particularly influential, but a combination of poor finishing and wayward passes kept the scores level. Villarreal initially relied on long balls to Tajon Buchanan and Tani Oluwaseyi, though both struggled to hold possession under pressure.

Villarreal’s first notable attempt saw a deflected cross nearly catch Espanyol keeper Marko Dmitrović, who reacted brilliantly to keep the ball out. As the first half progressed, both sides cancelled each other out for long spells, though Dolan remained a threat, and Gerard Moreno worked tirelessly to silence the home crowd.

Just before halftime, Moreno broke the deadlock with a precise strike from outside the box that deceived Dmitrović and nestled into the corner of the net.

After the break, Pere Milla failed to capitalise on another Dolan cross, while Villarreal exploited space on the counter. Buchanan’s quick break down the left flank led to Alberto Moleiro slotting home to double the lead around the hour mark, giving the Yellow Submarine some breathing room.

Villarreal continued to press, with Santi Comesaña nearly adding a third, while Espanyol grew increasingly desperate as gaps opened across the pitch. Dolan remained a constant threat, but Villarreal’s defence held firm to secure the clean sheet.

The result extends Villarreal’s dominance over Espanyol in LaLiga, with the Yellow Submarine winning each of the last six league head-to-heads and Espanyol now having just four wins in 24 home league matches against them (D12, L8).