Giant Killers Espanyol Shock Barcelona

By: Laurie | February 21st, 2009

In his weekend predictions, Daryl decided, just for fun, to go out on a limb in the Catalan derby and predict a 2-1 Espanyol win over Barcelona.

Let’s hope he bet on it. The odds for that result were 30-1, and with good reason. Prior to today, Barca had lost only one game this season, and Espanyol were firmly in the relegation zone.

But Daryl was right.

Eric Abidal went down with a first-half injury, Seydou Keita got sent off in the 36th, and that was it. Espanyol had two shots on goal and two goals. (Both were by Ivan De La Pena — the first off beautiful service from Nene, the second with a little help from Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes.)

In typical derby fashion, there were one red and 12 yellow cards, including one to a Barcelona physio.

And a good time was had by all.

Or at least all who didn’t have bets on Barcelona.

Best Hudsonism? Thierry Henry “makes a big red baboon’s backside out of this finish.”

To add insult to injury for Barcelona, Real Madrid beat Real Betis today 6-1.

(Video via 101 Great Goals)

Some Related Stories:

Category: World Football

« Saturday Junk Pile: Bungee Jumping and Underwear Modeling (but not at the same time) | Home | Special 1 TV: Tom Cruise Introduces the Gang to Old Mother Hubbard »

The Offside RSS Feeds

Marco P.

If drugs are the culprit, let's keep Ray on 'em for another 10 years. Biggest value for money ever.

And bravo to Daryl.
chris

Drugs. It's the only way to explain the majesty of Ray Hudson.

Which, incidentally, is also the only way to explain Keita's red. But that red also may serve to wake up what was for the last few weeks a "sleeping giant". Scary.
Simon Harris

It was a frustrating night all round, particularly as the bar I was in had two rellies - one with the Barça game on, one with the Madrid game - and the anti-Barcelona insults got louder as the games progressed.

The key moment was Keita's sending off. I think it was barely a foul - he took the ball and then García who then decided that he might have a future on the stage after his playing career is over.

The key player, though, was Ivan de la Peña. It was he that called most loudly for Keita's sending off. Then to add insult to injury he scored not one but TWO goals - his first Liga goals in more than two years.

Ne celebrated with such 'rabia' and the funny thing is Camp Nou just can't bring itself to hate - he delighted us so much between 96 and 98, he was our great hope for the future.

If anyone is going to be Barça's 'Matador' it might as well be Ivan de la Peña 'Lo Pelat'!!!!!
Yevy

+1 to Matt, came to post that quote.
Laurie

Matt and Hana,

Yes, he did say that. I just couldn't make myself type it out and include it in the post. :-)
OhYes

I didn't catch the jewel from the pants thing when I was watching the game. Maybe it's cause I was screaming. But what the hell lol how does he come up with this stuff??
Hana

THANK YOU MATT. I just had a double-take after watching that bit in the video and was just about to pose the same question after I stopped laughing.

Made my day.
matt

did hudson say that victor valdes filled his pants then presented the little buddha with a little jewel?
Johnny

Well done Daryl
Aaron

Allez les Gones!
lefutur

hopefully lyon can take some inspiration from this. :)
Ian

Wow. It will count for De la Pena, but that goal belongs to Nene - great assist, especially for a Hawaiian goose, which is all I will ever think of when I hear Nene's name.