Celta 1 - Villarreal 0

Celta: Pinto; Angel, Lequi, Sergio, José Enrique; Oubiña; Antonio Nuñez, Jorge (Contreras 75'), Canobbio (Roberto 52'), David Silva; Baiano (Jesús Perera 64'). 4-1-4-1.
Villarreal: Viera; Javi Venta, Quique Alvarez, Gonzalo Rodríguez, Arruabarrena; Marcos Senna, Josico (Tacchinardi 75'); Calleja (Héctor Font 64'), Guayre (José Marí 64'), Roger; Diego Forlán. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Celta: Baiano for Javi Guerrero / Villarreal: Josico, Calleja, Roger for Sorín, Héctor Font, Cazorla.

Goals:
1-0. 38. Baiano (penalty). After Gonzalo Rodríguez pushed over David Silva.

Celta moved back up to fifth in the table with a 1-0 victory over a Villarreal side who drop further down after only one win in their last seven games. Pellegrini's side had never won in the Balaidos stadium in five previous visits, and they fell again to a rigorous penalty, Baiano converting the kick after Gonzalo had leaped up on David Silva's back in the area.

Chances were few and far between though, with Marcos Senna testing Viera with an early free kick and Baiano (returning to the side after injury) shooting over under pressure from Gonzalo. Shortly after the goal Villarreal had a penalty appeal turned down by Medina Cantalejo after Lequi pushed over Gonzalo, an incident similar to the one at the other end which the referee gave.

The visitors were clearly missing the injured Riquelme, and in his absence the coach turned to José Marí and Héctor Font to strengthen his attack. But apart from an effort from the former which Lequi cleared they were unable to create any clear cut chances, and Oubiña came within inches of increasing the lead when his lob was cleared off the line by Senna with the keeper beaten. In the end though it was a good win for the Galicians against a direct rival for the Champions League spots.