Espanyol drew 3-3 with Athletic Bilbao in a thriller at Cornella El-Prat in Sunday’s early game.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men held a two-goal lead at the break but allowed the Basques back into the match in the second-half with Aritz Aduriz claiming a point for the visitors eight minutes from time.
Javi Lopez got the hosts off to a flier on 12 minutes with a cross-shot that gave Gorka Iraizoz in the Bilbao goal no chance, and captain Joan Verdu doubled the advantage on the stroke of half-time when he tapped home after Longo’s shot had been blocked.
However, Aritz Aduriz got Athletic back into the game on 56 minutes before substitute Fernando Llorente levelled matters 15 minutes later when he took advantage of Iker Muniain’s precise pass.
Italy Under-21 international Longo put the Catalans back in front on 80 minutes yet was subsequently dismissed after receiving a second yellow card for his goal celebrations.
Aduriz then got his second of the afternoon to even it up before Espanyol boss Pochettino also received his marching orders in stoppage time for protesting.
