Espanyol ended a lengthy losing streak at Oviedo on Friday by defeating the local team 2-0 and moving up to fifth position in La Liga with two late goals. Oviedo had lost three of its four home games this season, all by a margin of at least two goals, while Espanyol had not triumphed here in the league since 1995.
In a dull encounter, neither team put up much of a fight, but Espanyol grabbed charge in the last quarter. With 17 minutes remaining, Kike García scored a hilariously jumbled goal, and Pere Milla completed the victory by stealing in at the back post to convert a low cross from Omar El Hilali. The night started in unusual fashion after both teams stood still for the first 15 seconds of the match. Players from both sides were protesting La Liga ’s decision to hold the Barcelona-Villarreal game in Miami on Dec. 20.