Villarreal 0 - Deportivo La Coruña 2

Villarreal: Reina; Javi Venta, Quique Alvarez, Gonzalo Rodríguez, Arruabarrena; Josico, César Arzo (Cazorla 55'); José Marí, Riquelme (Héctor Font 77'), Sorín; Diego Forlán. 4-2-3-1.
Deportivo: Molina; Manuel Pablo, César (Pablo Amo 85'), Andrade, Romero; Scaloni, Fran; Munitis, Valerón, Luque (Héctor 77'); Diego Tristán (Duscher 53'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Villarreal: César Arzo, Sorín for Battaglia, Héctor Font / Deportivo: Andrade, Fran for Pablo Amo, Sergio.

Goals:
0-1. 32. Diego Tristán. Ran on to Valerón pass to shoot low past Reina
0-2. 60. Luque. Chip into top corner of net from Valerón's through ball.

Deportivo La Coruña recorded a much needed 0-2 victory at Villarreal, taking them back up to the UEFA cup spots pending Sunday's results. Curiously it was the home side's first defeat at the Madrigal stadium since they lost to Depor by the same score back in April, and Diego Tristán's first half strike was the first goal that Reina has let in at home all season, including league, Intertoto and UEFA cup matches.

This was the first match to use the new yellow ball, and at times it was difficult to see it against Villarreal's all yellow strip! Pellegrini could count on Juan Pablo Sorín after his transfer came through hours before kick off, and he came straight into the starting line up. Irureta put out his best available side despite an important Champions' League match to come midweek, with Scaloni and Fran in a makeshift central midfield.

It was a lively, open game, with both sides creating chances early on without causing too many problems for the keepers. Forlán thought he had scored on the half hour mark when he latched on to Riquelme's pass to beat Molina, but the strike was ruled out for a borderline offside. And only seconds later the visitors took the lead, Tristán picking up a pass from Valerón and beating Reina with a shot on the turn.

Tristán should have made it two almost immediately after the restart but he shot straight at Reina, and a few minutes later he limped off injured. Riquelme produced a good run at the other end which he couldn't finish off, and Reina saved again from Luque at the other end. Soon afterwards though Luque did manage to beat the keeper with a weighted lob from left of goal after Valerón put him through, and Depor were on their way. When Arruabarrena was sent off for a second bookable offence with twenty minutes to go the game was over, and Depor had a boost of moral prior to their tricky visit to Olympiakos on Tuesday. Not so Villarreal though, who now have to bounce back for their UEFA cup match with Middlesborough on Thursday.