Villarreal returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion on Monday night, cruising to a 4-1 La Liga victory over Espanyol with two goals in each half.
The dominant display ended a disappointing spell that had yielded just one point from the club’s previous three league matches.
The win moved Villarreal level on points with third-placed Atletico Madrid and seven clear of Real Betis, while still holding a game in hand over both sides.
Georges Mikautadze opened the scoring 10 minutes before the break, connecting with Tajon Buchanan’s cushioned header and finishing with a stunning scissor kick.
Espanyol’s misery deepened six minutes later when Jose Salinas inadvertently turned the ball into his own net to double the hosts’ advantage.
Villarreal put the contest beyond doubt early in the second half. Nicolas Pépé made it three just five minutes after the restart, cutting inside before drilling a low strike from outside the area.
Alberto Moleiro added the fourth moments later, calmly finishing a sharp counterattack.
Espanyol managed a late consolation through Leandro Cabrera, who glanced home a header from a Cyril Ngonge corner two minutes from time, but it did little to change the outcome.
The defeat extended Espanyol’s winless run in the league to six matches, stretching back to before Christmas.
It was also the first time this season the Catalan side had conceded four goals in a single game, though they remained sixth in the standings.
