Espanyol got off to a winning start to the new Primera Division season as Salva Sevilla's early goal proved enough for a 1-0 win over visitors Getafe, who had Argentine defender Santiago Vergini sent off late on.
Despite losing a number of key players over the summer, including captain and last season's top scorer Sergio Garcia, striker Christian Stuani, winger Lucas Vazquez and Mexico international defender Hector Moreno, Espanyol got off to the ideal start.
With less than three minutes on the clock, winger Sevilla lifted a free-kick over the wall and in off the post to give the hosts the lead.
The Catalans failed to build on their early advantage, however, and struggled to create more chances in the first half, while Getafe tried to hit back through a couple of shots from Pedro Leon, but the former Real Madrid man failed to hit the target.
Sunderland loanee Vergini picked up his first yellow card at the start of the first half for a deliberate handball and was then given his marching orders in the 83rd minute for bringing down Espanyol debutant Gerard Moreno.
But having an extra man on the pitch for the remainder of the game did not ease the hosts' nerves, and they could have conceded a late equaliser from their former charge Alvaro Vazquez, but the forward flashed his shot across the face of goal, allowing Sergio Gonzalez's side to take all three points.