Espanyol 3 - Zaragoza 1

Espanyol: Kameni; Jarque, Pochettino, David García, Domi (Sergio Sánchez 15'); Maxi, Alex Fernández, Ito, De la Peña (Corominas 77'); Dani (Fredson 66'), Tamudo. 4-4-2.
Zaragoza: Luis García; Ponzio, Alvaro, Toledo, Aranzábal; Movilla, Zapater (Piti 73'), Generelo (Galletti 24'); Cani (Oscar González 52'), Savio; David Villa. 4-3-2-1.

Team changes: Espanyol: David García, Domi, Ito, Dani for Lopo, Ibarra, Soldevilla, Corominas / Zaragoza: Toledo, Zapater for Milito, Oscar González.

Goals:
1-0. 33. Tamudo. Got on end of long David García cross to head over Luis García.
2-0. 43. Maxi. Picked up De la Peña pass and ran on to round keeper and score.
2-1. 59. David Villa. Ran on to long pass and drove low shot wide of Kameni.
3-1. 90. Tamudo. Picked up Maxi pass on quick breakaway and shot past keeper.

Espanyol moved back up above Villarreal and Betis and in to the Champions League spots after beating Zaragoza 3-1. Lotina's side were missing three key defenders, and when Domi and Generelo were rushed to hospital after a clash of heads the coach was forced to give a first division debut to youth international Sergio Sánchez. The back four held fast though despite David Villa's best efforts, and with just over a half hour gone the home side took the lead when Tamudo headed a cross from David García over the keeper.

The team captain could have scored a second a few minutes later, but shortly before half time a clever flick from De la Peña sent Maxi through for him to put his side two up. Villa got one back for the visitors after the break after he ran on to a long ball from Oscar González to beat Kameni, but their revival was cut short when Alvaro was sent off for a second bookable offence. Víctor Muñoz still urged his side forward, but they were caught out by a quick breakaway in the last minute, Maxi rolling the ball forward for Tamudo to poke his second of the night past Luis García.