Sergio Garcia, hat-trick hero of Espanyol’s 4-1 victory at Rayo Vallecano, said his team needed the win after a poor series of results.
It was the first top-flight treble of the 30-year-old’s career and he could not hide his delight at Los Periquitos halting their recent slide.
“I’m very happy because we’ve not been doing well lately, so the players deserve to celebrate,” he told reporters in the mixed zone post-match.
“Out of the last eight games we’ve only tasted victory once so it was important to get the win, but despite the losing streak we were relaxed in this game.
“We were hoping to get chances on the counter-attack and it went as we expected. We needed to take the points as we worked hard to make things happen.
“Hopefully this is not the last hat-trick I score in the top flight. I’d never done it in La Primera and I hope I can get another one soon.
“If not me then one of my teammates,” he added.
