A second-half double capped off by a wonder goal from Fernandez Jean gave Manolo Gonzalez’s side all three points as they remained in the European race despite a late Sevilla rally.
The home side began on the front foot, with both of their strikers squandering brilliant early chances. First, it was Kike Garcia who fired narrowly past the post after some miscommunication at the back from Sevilla’s defenders. Tyrhys Dolan was quickly on the scene to steal the ball but left it for Garcia, whose left-footed shot curled painfully wide of the right-hand post.
Minutes later, it was Espanyol’s other striker, Pere Milla, who was presented with an even better opportunity as he burst clean through past Sevilla’s defence. However, his tame effort was saved well by Odysseas Vlachodimos who won an early battle of wits to keep the game goalless.
Sevilla’s first effort came from distance from Akor Adams as he tested Marko Dmitrovic who made a strong diving save. That sprung the visitors into life as Peque’s low effort deflected off the post just two minutes later.
Sevilla nearly took the lead in the 36th minute through Gabriel Suazo who found himself unmarked at the back post, only to be denied by a fantastic trailing leg by Dmitrovic who forced it out for a corner.
Having created the higher expected goal figure in the first half, Espanyol began the second half on the front foot, netting the opener just three minutes after half-time.
Dolan’s searching ball to the back post caused chaos as Milla made up for his early miss with a calm header at the back post, where he found himself surprisingly unmarked to net his fifth goal of the league campaign.
Sevilla tried to turn the tide, with Chidera Ejuke and substitute Alfon Gonzalez both going close but Fernandez Jaen’s stunning curler from distance in the 84th gave the Blanquiazules some breathing space.
A late scramble from a Sevilla corner was finished by Marcao to give the game a nervy finish but the home side held on for the win.
For Espanyol, the victory elevated them to sixth in the La Liga table while the defeat for Sevilla was their third road reversal in a row and saw them drop down to 11th, five points off Espanyol in the European places.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Gabriel Suazo (Sevilla)