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Several surprises in the first round of the cup, which was once again played over one leg in the ground of the lower division side. Six first division teams were eliminated by second division B sides, including this year's cup holders Zaragoza, who were beaten on penalties by Logroñes, and last year's cup winners Espanyol, who lost to a last minute goal against Lleida. All three newly promoted teams were beaten, including the current leaders of the first division Betis. They lost to the side from the Spanish enclave in North Africa, Ceuta, who scored three goals in extra time. A depleted Tenerife were hammered 5-1 by Lanzarote, and Sevilla lost 2-1 to Cuidad Murcia, a team only formed three years ago. Elsewhere John Toshack's Real Sociedad continued their bad start to the season losing to Hospitalet from the outskirts of Barcelona. Two other first division teams could go out as well after today's matches. Valladolid's game at Orense was abandoned 21 minutes in to extra time as the floodlights failed, and the remaining nine minutes and possible penalty shootout may be played tomorrow. Valencia defeated Novelda by a single Rufete goal, but the result could be overturned by the disciplinary committee as manager Rafa Benítez absent-mindedly played the last minute of the game with four non-EU players on the pitch, one more than the maximum. The matches involving Barcelona, Deportivo, Osasuna and Alavés have been postponed to 7th November. Celta only just scraped through after being two goals down to Lemona with twenty minutes to go, and Las Palmas got through with a late penalty against Vecindario after being behind for much of the match and missing an earlier spot kick. Rayo Vallecano got their revenge on Atlético Madrid, who ended the game with nine players on the park, and Sporting ran out easy winners of the Asturias local derby against Oviedo. Finally a hat-trick by Guti helped Real Madrid to a four goal victory over Pájaras Playa Jandia from the Canary Isles. Madrid lined up with seven B team players in their squad, and started the game with a back four made up entirely of youngsters. (10.10.01) |
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