Espanyol 3 - 0 Málaga

Espanyol 3-0 Málaga

Updated: May 31, 2009, 6:47 PM UK

Espanyol captain Raul Tamudo struck a hat-trick to inspire his side to a richly-deserved 3-0 win over Malaga in their last match at Montjuic.

Tamudo gave the Barcelona-based side the lead after just seven minutes, before adding a second on the stroke of half-time and completing an impressive hat-trick from the penalty spot early in the second period.

Malaga played much of the second half with 10 men following the penalty, as Weligton saw red for his foul on the Espanyol captain.

There was a party atmosphere at Montjuic as Espanyol took to the field for their last match on the `magic mountain' following 12 years at the famous Olympic stadium.

Having secured Primera Liga survival with a 3-0 win at Almeria last weekend following a hugely difficult first three-quarters of the campaign in which they looked set to go down, the Catalans had reason to celebrate.

Malaga began the match in their changed strip of white shorts and purple shirts.

But in spite of the Andalusians' fine season on their return to the top-flight, it was Espanyol who had enjoyed a purple patch prior to this match.

Willed on by a home crowd impressive in both voice and numbers, Mauricio Pochettino's side dominated the early exchanges.

Nico Pareja saw his dipping free-kick pushed over by Malaga goalkeeper Arnau after five minutes as Espanyol threatened for the first time.

And a minute later, they were ahead when Tamudo latched onto Luis Garcia's brilliant defence-splitting pass, controlled with his left foot and blasted past Arnau from close-range to give the home side the lead.

Tamudo twice went close to adding a second goal as Espanyol continued to dominate.

Nene also went close as Malaga struggled to get into the game.

But Antonio Tapia's side began to enjoy more of the possession in the lead-up to half-time and forced the home side onto the back foot in the latter part of the first period.

The visitors - who missed out on a place in Europe but were guaranteed an eighth-placed finish whatever happened in this match - failed to create a scoring opportunity of note though, and saw their chances of a last-day victory all but end as Tamudo struck again on the stroke of half-time.

With no Malaga defender in sight, the Espanyol skipper collected David Garcia's through-ball and slid a shot cheekily past Arnau.

During the interval, the Espanyol faithful were treated to a video compilation of the team's best moments from the 12 seasons at Montjuic.

Many of the important goals in the video had been scored by Tamudo, who is the only surviving member of the Espanyol squad to have played at the previous stadium in Sarria.

The talismanic striker was just a promising youngster then, but has since cemented his name in the club's folklore and is Espanyol's all-time record goalscorer.

This season has been a huge disappointment for the veteran forward, and he had scored just three league goals prior to this game.

But he had the chance to double that tally in this match after being brought down by Weligton nine minutes into the second half.

Despite a long wait, he duly converted the spot-kick with a clinical finish as Arnau dived the wrong way.

It seemed fitting that Tamudo should sign off in such style in Espanyol's last match at Montjuic.

Others have come and gone, including coach Mauricio Pochettino, who enjoyed two successful spells as a player before returning to transform the club's flailing fortunes as coach this season.

Pochettino, a former Argentina defender and team-mate of Tamudo, scored Espanyol's first ever goal at Montjuic back in 1997.

More goals looked on the cards after Weligton was dismissed for his foul on Tamudo.

But Espanyol relaxed after that and Malaga went closest when Juan Jose Luque hit the post with 20 minutes left.

Tamudo departed to rapturous applause late on and the home side were given an ovation as they left the pitch with a seventh win in eight games and their Primera Liga status very much intact.

With coach Pochettino set to sign a new deal and Tamudo showing he can still perform at the highest level, they will look forward to life at their new home, the brand new stadium at Cornella-El Prat, with much optimism.