Espanyol 2 - Getafe 0

Espanyol: Kameni; Jarque, Lopo, Soldevilla, David García; Maxi (Morales 90'), Ito, Fredson, Oscar Serrano (Toni Velamazán 68, Jonathan 78'); Dani, Tamudo. 4-4-2.
Getafe: Sánchez Broto; Pulido, Belenguer, Nano, Pernía; Mario Cotelo, Albiol (Sergio Aragoneses 92'), Gabi, Vivar Dorado; Craioveanu (Kome 57'), Yordi (Michel 75'). 4-4-2.

Team changes: Espanyol: David García, Fredson, Tamudo for Ibarra, Domi, De la Peña / Getafe: Pulido, Pernía for Kome, Diego Rivas.

Goals:
1-0. 90. Soldevilla. Fired loose ball into net after previous efforts blocked.
2-0. 94. Tamudo (penalty). After Tamudo himself brought down by Sánchez Broto.

Espanyol move back up to the UEFA cup spots, level on points with Valencia and Betis and one above Villarreal, after beating Getafe 2-0. They left it late to do so though, both goals coming right at the end of the match in which the Catalans were missing the inspiration of their new international Iván De la Peña, who pulled out of the starting line up after aggravating an injury in the pre-match warm up.

Without "El Pelat" the first half was a boring affair, the only chances falling to the locals when Tamudo slipped in front of goal and Maxi put another effort wide. Sánchez Broto had to be at his best though when he made a double save from central defenders Lopo and Soldevilla, and Tamudo headed another chance down and over the bar when substitute Velamazán (who only lasted ten minutes before injuring himself) found the team captain with a pinpoint cross.

Quique Flores's side had come to Montjuic to defend and look for the odd breakaway, and they almost succeeded on two occasions, first when Jarque blocked an effort from Pulido and then when Kameni made a first class save from Vivar Dorado. But with the game coming to an end Lotina threw everyone forward, and after the defence had blocked a couple of previous shots in a prolonged attack, the ball fell to Soldevilla for him to drill it into the net.

And just two minutes later Tamudo got loose on a quick counter-attack, and Sánchez Broto had no option but to bring him down. It meant a red card for the keeper, and Tamudo fired the resulting penalty past his replacement Sergio Aragoneses. The fans breathed a sigh of relief, and Espanyol were back up to sixth.