Alavés 2 - Espanyol 1

Alavés: Herrera; Geli (Kanu 70'), Coloccini, Téllez, Llorens; Witschge (Vucko 77'), Turiel; Astudillo, Jordi Cruyff, Magno; Rubén Navarro (Iván Alonso 65'). 4-2-3-1.
Espanyol: Argensó; Fran, Rotchen, Soldevilla, Ricardo Cavas; Alex Fernández, Morales; De Lucas (Roger 85'), Martín Posse (David Catalá 77'), Iván Díaz (Mora 44'); Tamudo. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Alavés: Coloccini, Witschge, Turiel for Karmona, Pablo, Ibon Begoña / Espanyol: Rotchen, Ricardo Cavas for Lopo, David García.

Goals:
0-1. 20. Tamudo (penalty). After Tamudo himself brought down by Witschge.
1-1. 45. Llorens (penalty). Argensó sent off for pushing away Téllez.
2-1. 92. Magno. Shot which deflected off Astudillo past keeper.

Alavés go back up to the table to fourth after a controversial late victory over Espanyol. The game almost didn't take place at all, with a heavy snow fall in Vitoria the day before the match. However groundstaff worked hard to clear the pitch, and referee Turienzo Alvarez gave the go-ahead to play. Unfortunately that was about all he did right, with the final result heavily influenced by the official's performance. Turienzo started by awarding a penalty to Espanyol and then changing his mind, eventually giving a free kick outside of the area after lengthy discussions with both linesmen. Then he did award a penalty to the visitors after Witschge pulled down Tamudo, the new captain converting the kick himself to put them in front.

Just before half time came the most controversial moment of the game, Argensó pushing over Téllez in the area after the Spanish international defender had clipped the keeper on the head when he was on the ground holding the ball. Turienzo awarded a penalty and sent off the indignant keeper, and after reserve keeper Mora had substituted Iván Díaz, Llorens stepped up to make it all square. Mora in fact made some good saves after the break, but the Catalan side were reduced to nine men when Morales picked up a second booking. Espanyol held on, but after Iván Alonso hit the bar, Magno finally scored the winner in injury time after his shot deflected off Astudillo, who was standing in a possible offside position at the time. The result takes Espanyol down to within a point of the drop zone, and an under pressure Paco Flores said that his club would lodge an official complaint about the referee. The result though will definitively stand whatever the outcome.