Albacete 2 - Espanyol 1

Albacete: Roa; Oscar Montiel, Pablo, Unai, Peña; Iván Díaz, Viaud (David Sánchez 54'), Parri, Delporte; Aranda (Basti 76'), Pacheco (Mikel 71'). 4-4-2.
Espanyol: Toni; Torricelli, Soldevilla, Domoraud, David García; Fredson, Héctor (Morales 48'); Velamazán (Marc Bertrán 48'), Maxi, Jordi Cruyff; Tamudo (De la Peña 57'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Albacete: Peña for Cristian Díaz / Espanyol: Torricelli, Tamudo for Lopo, Morales.

Goals:
0-1. 15. Tamudo. First time volley close to goal from Maxi's cross.
1-1. 44. Aranda (penalty). After Soldevilla sent off for foul on Aranda himself.
2-1. 67. Aranda. Ran on to ball over top and rounded keeper to score.

Espanyol stay at the bottom of the table after losing their relegation battle at Albacete by 2-1. It was a match surrounded in controversy due to the performance of referee Teixeira Vitienes, who gave the hosts a helping hand with some of his decisions.

The home side started well, with Aranda hitting the post, but it was the visitors who took the lead when Tamudo connected with Maxi's cross to volley past Roa. Five minutes later the Spanish international striker could have made it two, but he shot wide with just the keeper to beat.

Teixeira disallowed a headed goal by local defender Pablo after he climbed on an opponent's shoulders to score, and shortly before half time the referee was in action again when ex Espanyol midfielder Iván Díaz sent a long ball forward to Aranda which Toni completely failed to connect with, Aranda falling to the ground rather too easily under Soldevilla's challenge. The Espanyol players claimed that the striker had dived, but Teixeira had no doubts producing the red card for the defender and awarding the penalty which Aranda himself converted.

Midway through the second half there was more controversy when Aranda ran on to a long ball from Pacheco and charged the ball down with his forearms before rounding Toni to score. Neither Teixeira nor his assistants saw the incident though, and the goal was allowed to stand.

A few minutes later the Catalans were left with nine men after Torricelli got himself a second yellow card for a foul on Aranda. It was a sad end for the visitors, who have now had nine players sent off in thirteen games.