Luis Garcia's second-half strike gave Espanyol a much-needed victory at home to Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.
The Barcelona-based side came up against an inspired Gorka Iraizoz in the first half, with the Athletic keeper denying his former club with several fine saves.
But the Catalans' constant pressure finally paid off 13 minutes into the second half, when Luis Garcia struck the winner to give Mauricio Pochettino's side a welcome boost following their recent dismal run.
Espanyol had lost six of their last nine La Liga matches and came into this contest just three points above the relegation zone.
They had been frustrated last weekend against Real Mallorca, when they were denied a vital win by a contentious penalty decision 10 minutes from time.
Goals have been hard to come by for the Catalans this season, and they struggled again in that respect today despite their early dominance.
Their first real chance came after 18 minutes, when Jose Callejon volleyed wildly off target from the edge of the area.
Iraizoz then produced a fine save to keep out Javi Marquez's venomous deflected shot 10 minutes later as Espanyol continued to threaten.
The Athletic keeper produced an even better stop on the verge of half-time, with an improvised save to repel Nico Pareja's deflected free-kick.
Pareja was back in the side following a one-match suspension and Espanyol looked much more assured at the back, but they were again struggling to find a way through up front.
Joan Verdu came close five minutes after half-time, but Andoni Iraola made a vital block to deflect the ball out for a corner.
Iraizoz then denied Espanyol once again eight minutes later when he saved from Marquez, but the ball fell straight to Luis Garcia, who stroked home from close range to give the Catalans the lead just short of the hour.
Iraizoz kept his side from going further behind 10 minutes later when he parried a Ferran Corominas' header.
Following last weekend's late disappointment and a string of poor results this season, the home fans were nervous in the closing stages.
Athletic looked unlikely to get back in it, but Espanyol had failed to make the game safe and they seemed unsure as to the best tactic late on.
They had lost their earlier attacking verve, but were wary of sitting back and defending their slender advantage.
That was what inevitably happened, though, and Pochettino introduced centre-back Roncaglia for midfielder Verdu in the closing stages.
The Catalans held on with relative comfort in the end to move provisionally six points clear of the relegation zone after 20 rounds of the championship.
Athletic, meanwhile, stay in eighth place after missing a fantastic opportunity to close in on the European places.
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