Celta Vigo 2 - Málaga 2

Celta: Cavallero; Velasco, Cáceres, Berizzo, Sylvinho; José Ignacio (Giovanella 60'), Luccin (McCarthy 79'); Jesuli, Mostovoi, Gustavo López (Edu 31'); Catanha. 4-2-3-1.
Málaga: Contreras; Josemi, Fernando Sanz, Roteta, Valcarce; Gerardo, Miguel Angel (Romero 65'), Sandro (Manu 65'), Musampa; Darío Silva, Dely Valdés (Iznata 79'). 4-4-2.

Team changes: Celta: Jesuli, Gustavo López for Edu, Coudet / Málaga: Darío Silva for Manu.

Goals:
0-1. 17. Musampa. From close up after Valcarce laid ball across goalmouth.
1-1. 26. Catanha (penalty). After Josemi handled on edge of area.
2-1. 39. Berizzo. Headed home long Jesuli free kick from right wing.
2-2. 41. Cáceres (own goal). Turned ball past own keeper trying to stop Silva pass.

Last week's leaders Celta fell to third place after dropping the first two points of the season against on-form Málaga. Both managers put out their strongest sides despite midweek compromises in the UEFA cup, and the two sides produced an exciting game, particularly in a first half which produced four goals.

Musampa started things off with his fifth league goal of the season, turning in Valcarce's cross with just over a quarter of an hour gone. A few minutes later Juanma dived to intercept a Catanha cross from the left, but the ball hit his hand and referee Pérez Lasa awarded a penalty. There was a small altercation between Mostovoi, the team's designated penalty taker, and Catanha, but the Hispano-Brazilian won the argument and tucked away the penalty kick.

Gustavo López limped off with an injury with only half an hour gone, but a few minutes later his side were in front when Berizzo connected with a long free kick from Jesuli to beat Contreras. Their joy lasted less than two minutes though, as Cáceres put through his own net trying to stop a Darío Silva cross reach Dely Valdés.

Seven minutes in to the second half, Pérez Lasa awarded a second penalty to the home side after Valcarce fouled Edu., and this time Mostovoi grabbed the ball with authority. However Contreras guessed right and tipped the shot around the post, the first time that the Russian has failed to convert a penalty since he came to Spain. After that Celta tried their best, but the penalty save inspired Contreras to greater things. Málaga maintain their unbeaten record this season, and are proving that they too are a team to take into account when the honours are dished out at the end of the season.