Pablo Osvaldo was Espanyol's hero on Sunday with a handsome brace in the 2-2 draw at home to Atletico Madrid, a result which keeps alive Espanyol's dream of playing in Europe.Youngster Koke gave Atletico the lead after just two minutes, only for
Osavaldo to equalize with a shot which took a wicked deflection off defender Luis Perea.
Sergio Aguero restored Atletico's lead with an exquisite lob, only for Osvaldo to make it 2-2 with an inch-perfect header.
The disappointing draw leaves Atletico sixth and Espanyol eighth.
Atletico are now two points behind Athletic Bilbao, who on Sunday moved up to fifth with a late 2-1 comeback win away to local rivals Osasuna.
Kike Sola had given Osasuna the lead six minutes into the second half with a left-foot drive, after the Bilbao defence had failed to clear a free-kick.
Things went from bad to worse for the visitors seven minutes later, when left-back Xabi Castillo was harshly sent off for a foul which Osasuna's Nelson shamelessly exaggerated.
But in the 69th minute Llorente made it 1-1 by heading in a perfect cross from the right from David Lopez.
And three minutes from time Osasuna were reduced to 10 when veteran defender Sergio Fernandez received a second yellow card for pulling down Markel Susaeta.
Bilbao poured forward for the winner and it came in injury-time, when confusion between Nelson and Osasuna keeper Ricardo left youngster Iker Munian with the simple task of tapping the ball in.
Bilbao coach Joaquin Caparros said: "We showed a lot of character when we went down to 10. This team has aggression and soul, and it has shown this on the field."
Osasuna, for their part, are now fifth from bottom and still in jeopardy.
Sunday also saw important home wins for Levante, Real Sociedad and Deportivo Coruna, leaving all three teams well above the danger zone.
Levante, the surprise package of the season, moved up to ninth with a 2-1 defeat of Hercules, thanks to first-half goals from Ruben Suarez and Juanlu.
Veteran striker David Trezeguet pulled a late goal back for Hercules but they failed to get an equalizer.
Levante and Hercules were both promoted last season. Levante made a poor start this season but have improved radically, whilst Hercules - the only team to beat Barcelona in the league - have collapsed in the spring.
The Alicante team are now second from bottom, four points above doomed bottom team Almeria but three below Malaga and Zaragoza.
Real Sociedad, for their part, eased their relegation worries with a 2-1 win over Sporting Gijon, with a brace from promising French youngster Antoine Griezmann.
Deportivo, meanwhile, beat Racing Santander 2-0, on goals from Lassad Nouioui and Xisco.
On Monday fourth-placed Villarreal were due to receive Zaragoza. The yellows are nine points behind Valencia - who enjoyed a 3-0 romp at Almeria on Saturday - in the battle for third place.
Osavaldo to equalize with a shot which took a wicked deflection off defender Luis Perea.
Sergio Aguero restored Atletico's lead with an exquisite lob, only for Osvaldo to make it 2-2 with an inch-perfect header.
The disappointing draw leaves Atletico sixth and Espanyol eighth.
Atletico are now two points behind Athletic Bilbao, who on Sunday moved up to fifth with a late 2-1 comeback win away to local rivals Osasuna.
Kike Sola had given Osasuna the lead six minutes into the second half with a left-foot drive, after the Bilbao defence had failed to clear a free-kick.
Things went from bad to worse for the visitors seven minutes later, when left-back Xabi Castillo was harshly sent off for a foul which Osasuna's Nelson shamelessly exaggerated.
But in the 69th minute Llorente made it 1-1 by heading in a perfect cross from the right from David Lopez.
And three minutes from time Osasuna were reduced to 10 when veteran defender Sergio Fernandez received a second yellow card for pulling down Markel Susaeta.
Bilbao poured forward for the winner and it came in injury-time, when confusion between Nelson and Osasuna keeper Ricardo left youngster Iker Munian with the simple task of tapping the ball in.
Bilbao coach Joaquin Caparros said: "We showed a lot of character when we went down to 10. This team has aggression and soul, and it has shown this on the field."
Osasuna, for their part, are now fifth from bottom and still in jeopardy.
Sunday also saw important home wins for Levante, Real Sociedad and Deportivo Coruna, leaving all three teams well above the danger zone.
Levante, the surprise package of the season, moved up to ninth with a 2-1 defeat of Hercules, thanks to first-half goals from Ruben Suarez and Juanlu.
Veteran striker David Trezeguet pulled a late goal back for Hercules but they failed to get an equalizer.
Levante and Hercules were both promoted last season. Levante made a poor start this season but have improved radically, whilst Hercules - the only team to beat Barcelona in the league - have collapsed in the spring.
The Alicante team are now second from bottom, four points above doomed bottom team Almeria but three below Malaga and Zaragoza.
Real Sociedad, for their part, eased their relegation worries with a 2-1 win over Sporting Gijon, with a brace from promising French youngster Antoine Griezmann.
Deportivo, meanwhile, beat Racing Santander 2-0, on goals from Lassad Nouioui and Xisco.
On Monday fourth-placed Villarreal were due to receive Zaragoza. The yellows are nine points behind Valencia - who enjoyed a 3-0 romp at Almeria on Saturday - in the battle for third place.
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