The Catalan outfit started the week by throwing away a 3-1 lead against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu and losing 4-3, before suffering a heartbreaking defeat on penalties at the hands of Sevilla in the UEFA Cup final on Wednesday.

Although given a standing ovation by their loyal fans as they returned to Montjuic following their brave performance in Glasgow, Espanyol were not able to heal the wounds inflicted by their European defeat.

Nevertheless, there was no indication of what was to follow early on as Ernesto Valverde's side began brightly and took the lead after just four minutes.

Buoyed by their enthusiastic supporters, the Catalans attacked from the outset and went ahead when young forward Ferran Corominas sent a fierce drive past Roberto Abbondanzieri from outside the area.

However, Getafe responded quickly and equalised just three minutes later when midfielder Francisco Javier Casquero fired past Carlos Kameni from close range.

Following their leveller, the visitors enjoyed the majority of the possession, but Espanyol came within inches of regaining their lead when captain Raul Tamudo crashed a rasping drive against the post on 25 minutes.

Strike partner Walter Pandiani also came close eight minutes later, but Abbondanzieri did well to save the Uruguayan's lobbed effort.

Despite these chances, Getafe were still seeing more of the ball and took the lead just before half-time.

Winger Mario Cotelo set up Manu Del Moral and the unmarked forward beat Kameni with a clinical low finish to ensure his side went in ahead at the interval.

After the break, Getafe continued to dominate and should have doubled their lead on 50 minutes, when Casquero inexplicably fired over with the goal at his mercy.

It was a let-off for Espanyol, but four minutes later, the visitors did score a third goal when centre-back Ruben Martin Pulido crashed a header past Kameni following a corner.

At the other end, Corominas tried his luck again from outside the area, but things soon went from bad to worse for the home side.

Striker Dani Guiza lobbed Kameni after a flowing Getafe counter-attack to give Bernd Schuster's side an unbelievable 4-1 advantage on 64 minutes.

But there was still more to come from the visitors as Del Moral scored a brilliant fifth goal with 20 minutes remaining.

There appeared to be little on when Romanian full-back Cosmin Contra crossed from the right, but Del Moral unleashed an unstoppable bicycle kick which flew past the hapless Kameni.

It was the icing on the cake for Getafe, who had also thrashed Catalan giants Barcelona 4-0 10 days earlier to advance to the final of the Copa del Rey.

Espanyol threw on Luis Garcia and Ivan De La Pena in the latter stages, but the Catalans were unable to pull a goal back and will be glad to see the back of such a miserable week.

Despite the nature of their defeat, the home side were applauded off the pitch by their loyal fans.