Super sub Wu Lei takes Espanyol top of table as they chase La Liga return
- China’s star footballer notches first goal and assist since opening day in late 2-0 Segunda Division win over Sporting Gijón
- Forward tells club TV channel that injury-hit season has been difficult and he has not yet returned to full fitness
China’s star footballer Wu Lei came off the bench to score one goal and set up the other in Espanyol’s 2-0 win over Sporting Gijón in the Spanish Segunda Division on Sunday, his first goal and assist since the opening day in September.
Wu changed the game when he came on in the 76th minute, opening the scoring 12 minutes later and then laying on a goal for Sergi Darder in the seventh minute of added time.
The win, their third on the spin, takes them to the top of the second tier on 36 points, one clear of Mallorca, though the island side have a game in hand.
Wu spoke of the hard-earned nature of the win to the club’s official television channel, saying it is typical of the Spanish second tier.
“Not only in this game, in every game, the opponent is very targeted when facing us, so every game is very difficult,” Wu told Espanyol TV. “Basically every game, it’s in our own hands, but we also know that scoring is not easy. But once we can score the first goal, the rest will be much easier.
“The overall level of the Segunda Division is bad. When other teams encounter us, they will treat us as very tough opponents. We can take the initiative, but we need to score the first goal as soon as possible.”