Betis 1 - Las Palmas 0

Betis: Prats; Varela, Belenguer, Filipescu (Juanito 40'), Luis Fernández (Mingo 65'); Joaquín, Ito, Capi, Denilson; Casas, Amato (Castaño 60'). 4-4-2.
Las Palmas: Nacho González; Angel, Olías, Schurrer, Paqui; Josico (Tevenet 80'), Samways; Edu Alonso (Jayo 70'), Jorge, Pablo Lago (Rubén 55'); Orlando. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Betis: Belenguer, Amato for Juanito, Calado / Las Palmas: No change.

Goals:
1-0. 48. Schurrer (own goal). Ball hit him on head as Casas shot at goal.

The draw between Depor and Celta means that Betis move to the top of the table on goal average, their highest position ever at this stage of the Championship. Their victory over Las Palmas was their fourth in a row this season, although in the end it took an own goal for them to achieve it. The first half was one way traffic, with the Andalucian side unlucky not to take the lead when Joaquín hit the bar early on, and only a top class performance by Nacho González kept the Canary Islanders in the game.

The goal when it finally came was fortunate, Casas trying to steer a long cross from Luis Fernández towards goal and the ball flying up and hitting Schurrer in the face as he charged back to cover. Betis lost Filipescu and then Luis Fernández to injury before the hour was up, but could have extended their lead if Denilson had been more decisive when alone in front of the keeper. Fernando Vázquez brought on Jayo for his first game with his new side but all he did was get himself booked, and Las Palmas only managed their first real attempt at goal in the closing minutes when Orlando shot wide.