Goals from Sergio Garcia and Christian Stuani handed Espanyol their first win of the season as they leapfrogged fellow strugglers Getafe at the foot of the Primera Division.
The home side had taken just two points from four matches heading into the match, with the visitors just one better off, but los Periquitos built on an improved showing against Malaga last time out to run out 2-0 winners on the night.
It took 65 minutes to part the sides, Garcia netting with a crisp volley, and the result was sealed when Stuani stepped off the bench to finish from 12 yards.
Defeat leaves Getafe ahead of only Cordoba, who are the last team in the division to remain winless.
In a thinly populated Power8 Stadium the contest got off to a scrappy start before Garcia tested Vicente Guaita with a 15th-minute header.
The hosts had started to enjoy the majority of possession but Guaita was not called on to make another save before the half-time break.
Instead it was Getafe who almost stole the lead with their first real chance just moments before the whistle, Pablo Sarabia striking from 30 yards and Francisco Casilla diving to palm the ball round the post.
Casilla was in action again soon after the restart, Michel denied with another long-range attempt.
But it was Espanyol who made the decisive move, Salva Sevilla feigning to shoot from the edge of the area only to dink a lovely pass over the top for Garcia.
The number timed his run and finished first time to grab the lead.
Stuani missed a decent chance to make it safe when heading over from a corner but buried a low right-footed effort in the 82nd minute to ease any lingering nerves.