Alavés 2 - Real Sociedad 1

Alavés: Herrera; Contra, Karmona, Téllez, Torres Mestre; Astudillo, Pablo, Desio, Ibon Begoña; Magno, Kodro. 4-4-2.
Real Sociedad: Alberto; Corino, Gurrutxaga, Loren; Rekarte, Khokhlov, Aranburu, Aranzábal; De Pedro, Sa Pinto; De Paula. 3-4-2-1.

Team changes: Alavés: Magno for Azkoitia / Real: Corino, Sa Pinto for Fuentes, Jankauskas.

Goals:
0-1. 26. Khokhlov. From penalty area after defence missed pass from De Pedro.
1-1. 77. Javi Moreno. Beat Loren and shot after long pass from Desio.
2-1. 87. Javi Moreno. Turned and shot after ball bounced up in area.

Alavés held on to second place after coming from behind to beat local rivals Real Sociedad. Talk before the match was whether the Vitoria side would return the favour that Real did for them at the end of last season when Alavés won the game to stay in the first division. However all suspicion was put aside as the home team scored two late goals from substitute Javi Moreno to take the three points and leave Real struggling near the foot of the season. Clemente was missing his new striker Jankauskas who was injured, but in his absence another new signing Khokhlov got his first goal for his club. At half time Mané put on Nan Ribera for Ibon Begoña, and then brought on Moreno for Kodro and Salinas for Pablo. Clemente changed the two Ds, De Paula and De Pedro, bringing on Idiakez and Juan Gómez to try and consolidate the result. The late goals gave Real no time to react, and their disgruntled fans showed their displeasure at the end. If Real don't start winning soon, Clemente's remaining time at the club may be short. Meanwhile the dream continues at Alavés, and they move a little closer to a place in Europe next season. Who would have thought?

Espanyol 3 - Celta 0

Espanyol: Cavallero; Cristóbal, Pochettino, Nando, Toledo; Velamazán, Roger, Sergio, Arteaga; Martín Posse; Tamudo. 4-4-1-1.
Celta: Pinto; Vivas, Coira, Sergio, Juanfran; Mazinho, Makelele;Tomás, Revivo, Gustavo López; McCarthy. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Espanyol: Toledo, Roger for Navas, Galca / Celta: Vivas, Coira, Mazinho, Tomás, Revivo for Cáceres, Celades, Giovanella, Karpin, Mostovoi

Goals:
1-0. 47. Tamudo. Ran on to long pass from Arteaga and shot past Pinto.
2-0. 58. Tamudo. From close range after cross from Posse on right.
3-0. 66. Roger (penalty). After foul by Juanfran on Tamudo.

Celta came in to this match with a European hangover after knocking Juventus out of the UEFA cup midweek, and they were brought to earth with a bump by a superior Espanyol side. To be fair Celta were missing almost their entire midfield through injuries and suspensions, and Víctor Fernández was forced to make five changes to his first choice line up, including Mazinho for the first time this season. Roger came in to the Espanyol side in place of the suspended Galca, even taking over the Romanian midfielders penalty taking duties, and Toledo came back from injury at left back. The sides were level up to half time, but referee Amusategui Roca sent off young defender Coira just before the break for a second bookable offence. Tamudo then took over, and the Spanish under 21 international scored twice and provoked a penalty to give his side the victory. Fernández brought on Giovanella then Belmadi and youngster Bouzón for Gustavo López, McCarthy and Makelele without avail. Six minutes from time Celta were down to nine men after Juanfran finally crossed the line and got himself sent off with two yellow cards. Espanyol climb a little further from the danger zone to midtable, and Celta slip out of the top six for the first time in a long while. Their long season is taking it's toll, and their continuity in Europe is stretching their resources too thinly. If they keep on like this, it won't be a problem they have next season.