Second division, day 17

Two goals from Iván Alonso helped Alavés come from behind to beat Elche 2-1 and move up to fourth spot, a point behind Cádiz. Two teams are a point behind them, Sporting Gijon, who defeated Eibar 1-0 thanks to a first half strike from Miguel, and Getafe, who won 3-1 against neighbours Leganés at lunchtime with two late goals from Michel. Almería drop down to seventh after they lost 2-3 to Ciudad de Murcia, a result which saves the job of visiting manager Lillo.

Down at the bottom of the table, Poli Ejido found themselves in the relegation zone once again after they lost 1-0 to Córdoba. Xerez move above them after drawing 2-2 at Salamanca, but they stay in the bottom four due to Terrassa's win the day before. It is still very tight though, with five teams tied on seventeen points and Rayo Vallecano just one above them after a Peragón penalty helped them to a 1-1 draw at bottom club Algeciras. (21.12.03)

The top three all won their respective matches on Saturday night to throw down a challenge to the chasing pack. Leaders Numancia won 0-2 away against struggling Málaga B, with a goal in each half from Pulido and N'Kome, and Levante followed up their cup win against Mallorca with a 1-2 victory at Las Palmas. Aganzo and an Aridani own goal gave them a comfortable lead before top scorer Rubén Castro got a late consolation from the penalty spot.

Meanwhile Cádiz were making mincemeat of Las Palmas' neighbours Tenerife, eventually running out 4-1 victors after Oli scored a first half hat-trick. And the Andalucians wanted to call the game off because of an outbreak of flu! Finally Terrassa crept out of the bottom four pending Sunday's games after coming from behind to beat Recreativo Huelva 1-2. The Catalans move level on points with their opponents and with Las Palmas, as well as Poli Ejido and Rayo Vallecano who play tomorrow. (20.12.03).