First Division - Day 15

Real Murcia 1 - Villarreal 1

Real Murcia: Juanmi; Juanma, Pedro Largo, Cuadrado, Clavero; Luis García (Valera 91'), Acciari, Michel (Julio Alvarez 76'), Fredi (Jensen 50'); Richi, David Karanka. 4-4-2.
Villarreal: Reina; Quique Alvarez, Coloccini (César Arzo 63'), Ballesteros, Javi Venta (Víctor 51'); Pedro Martí, Josico; Belletti, Riquelme, José Marí; Sonny Anderson (Xisco Nadal 66'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Murcia: Pedro Largo, Acciari, David Karanka for Loeschbor, Roteta, Esnaider / Villarreal: Belletti, Javi Venta for Arruabarrena, Roger.

Goals:
1-0. 12. David Karanka. Rose above defence to head home Luis García corner.
1-1. 92. Xisco Nadal. Nipped in between hesitant defence to score from close up.

A last minute goal from Xisco Nadal saved a point for Villarreal at Real Murcia. The home side were a goal up and looking set for only their second win of the season when a mix up between Pedro Largo and Juanmi let in the young substitute to score.

Desperate for a victory, Joaquín Peiró's side got off to a confident start, with Reina tested three times in the opening five minutes by Luis García, Acciari and Fredi. A few minutes later they were in front, David Karanka celebrating his return to the side in place of the injured Esnaider with a header into the top corner of the net from Luis García's corner.

For a few minutes the visitors fought back, with Belletti disappointingly shooting wide after Riquelme set him up. But Karanka could have increased the lead with efforts either side of half time, and Luis García missed an easy chance later on after Jensen put him through.

It was not to be though, and the visitors left with a valuable point even though they had José Marí sent off in the last minute for a second bookable offence. The result leaves Murcia in next to bottom position, with Peiró possibly the next for the chop if he can't turn things around rapidly.