After registering just 13 points from their first 15 games, Espanyols season has kicked into life recording 15 points from their last 7 games, in which they have remained unbeaten.

In a season which has been built on a solid defence, the goals are starting to go in at the other end.

Tonight Espanyol beat Standard Liege 2-1 with Joe Gomez and Ilicic on debut bagging the goals. Espanyol went into the match without new talisman Firmino who started a 3 match ban, but were able to call on the services of Luis Suarez for the first time since signing, who had a good debut coming up with an assist. The result moved Espanyol to a season high of 12th in the table, 8 points clear of the drop zone.

“we have come out of an awful run of form, which saw us drop into the relegation zone, and are now in the best form since I arrived. We are picking up points against good sides, whilst more importantly getting the important points against the sides we are expected to beat. We continue to turn players over as a trading club, but for the first time since I came we have genuine options up front with Firmino, Suarez and Ilicic capable of leading the line. We’ve still 38 players aged 27 or under, so have not dropped our objective of lowering the overall age of the squad. We continue to tweek tactically in every match and its paying dividends at the moment. We’ve some tough games coming up, but we’ve certainly given ourselves every chance of securing our season objective of 14th. We are still suffering with injuries and suspensions with Rodriguez now added to Firmino and Bardhi in being unavailable. However it gives someone else a chance to come in a stake a claim, and make that shirt their own”