Miovski double helps Girona to crush Espanyol 4-1

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Girona vs. Espanyol - Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Girona vs. Espanyol, 11/23/2024

Updated: Nov 23, 2024, 08:45 pm

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Nov 23 (Reuters) - Girona thrashed Espanyol 4-1 in LaLiga on Saturday thanks to a superb double from Bojan Miovski and goals from Bryan Gil and Ladislav Krejci.

Last season's surprise package Girona now sit fifth in the standings, level on 21 points with Mallorca, who lost 3-2 to Las Palmas. They face Austrian side Sturm Graz in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Girona took an early lead when Gil unleashed a stunning long-range strike into the bottom corner of the net after the match had been halted for a few minutes after kick-off due to a fan being taken ill in the crowd.

The hosts continued to dominate and Gil capitalised on an Espanyol defensive error and crossed to Miovski, who doubled the lead on 16 minutes before the pair combined again to add the third goal five minutes later.

"The main thing was to win today, we wanted the three points and the team came out with tremendous aggression. I'm very happy because I'm coming from a heavy week, today a goal and two assists," Gil said.

"In the end Miovski needed the goals and I always try to support him to gain that confidence, today he scored two and I am very happy for him," he added.

The visitors looked on helplessly when Donny van de Beek's header from Yaser Asprilla's corner was pushed in by Krejci for the fourth in the 27th minute.

Espanyol got a consolation goal 10 minutes into the second half, however, when Javi Puado hit an unstoppable long-range strike that found the back of Paulo Gazzaniga's net.

"We are angry, disappointed. It's mainly the players' fault," said Puado. "We are all a team, players and coaches, but we are the ones on the pitch. If I'm outplayed, it's my fault. We have to be self-critical from the first to the last."

Espanyol, who have not won away this season, are 19th and in the relegation zone with 10 points. They face Celta Vigo on Saturday, while Girona play Villarreal on Sunday. (Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; editing by Clare Fallon)