Deportivo 1 - Espanyol 0

Deportivo: Molina; Manuel Pablo, Naybet, Donato, Romero; Valerón (Emerson 60'), Mauro Silva; Víctor, Djalminha (Pandiani 75'), Fran; Makaay (Helder 78'). 4-2-3-1.
Espanyol: Mora; Cristóbal, Lopo, Rotchen, David García; Morales, Sergio (Arteaga 73'); Velamazán, Martín Posse (Oscar 65'), Roger; Serrano (Nishizawa 58'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Depor: Naybet, Víctor, Djalminha for Helder, Emerson, Diego Tristán / Espanyol: Morales, Serrano for Galca, Tamudo.

Goals:
1-0. 20. Fran. Headed down on far post after Víctor's cross from right wing.

Deportivo extended their unbeaten home run in the league to 26 games with a narrow victory over Espanyol. The teams were meeting for the fourth time this season having played the Spanish super cup at the start of the campaign as winners of the league and cup respectively, and Espanyol have not been able to score a goal in any of the four games, nor for that matter in the two matches in the league the season before. Missing their Spanish international striker Tamudo, who was both suspended and injured for this match, they were unable once again to pierce the Depor defence, with Molina putting in one of the best performances of the season in the moments when the home sides lapses of concentration let the visitors in. In fact Deportivo blew hot and cold throughout this match, with periods of brilliance and others when they disappeared from the field of play.

With nothing realistically to play for but second place in the league (an important spot giving automatic access to the second phase of the Champions League), Irureta put out a full strength line up, missing only the suspended Diego Tristán. Naybet returned from international duty, Valerón kept the midfield spot alongside Mauro Silva and Djalminha returned from a two match suspension. Depor took the lead through Fran with twenty minutes on the clock, the Spanish international heading Víctor's cross down past Mora. But Espanyol took command, with Sergio as leader in the absence of the injured Galca, and Molina had to produce two spectacular saves to keep out Posse and then a point blank header from Roger. After the break Paco Flores changed his front two, giving a chance to Nishizawa who has a month now to prove himself, and bringing on Oscar a few minutes later, but within a short time they were reduced to ten men as Cristóbal was sent off for a second bookable offence by Daudén Ibáñez.

Irureta had already brought on Emerson to steady midfield, and he introduced "Rifle" Pandiani for Djalminha to try and finish things off, and also to protect the Brazilian star who had already picked up an undeserved yellow card after producing a spectacular, and totally legal, pass with his shoulder. But then Depor themselves were reduced to ten men after Donato and Nishizawa collided, Daudén producing a second yellow card to the veteran Hispano-Brazilian as he was being carried off the pitch on a stretcher. Donato was applauded off by appreciative fans who are protesting to the club over their failure to agree terms for another season from the evergreen 38-9ish (nobody is too sure) defensive midfielder. On came Helder for Makaay as Irureta went for the safe play, but even then Molina had to save the day again from Velamazán before Víctor almost increased the lead with a header against the bar.

Depor catch up two points on leaders Real Madrid, but are still nine behind and need a miracle to repeat last year's title. More importantly though they stay four points ahead of Valencia and Mallorca, who both won. Espanyol can feel hard done by, their four match unbeaten away run now ended, but they are still in tenth place only three points behind sixth placed Celta. They have to play neighbours Barcelona next week at Montjuic and then Real Madrid away and Mallorca at home, and Paco Flores shrewdly signed a new contract for next season before setting out against the deadly quartet. That's what you call good timing.