Betis 2 - Valencia 1

Betis: Doblas; Melli, Juanito, Rivas, Romero (Fernando Vega 46'); Rivera, Vogel; Maldonado, Marcos Assunçao (Capi 62'), Xisco (Sobis 58'); Robert. 4-2-3-1.
Valencia: Cañizares, Miguel, Ayala, Raúl Albiol, Curro Torres; Marchena, Albelda (Baraja 72'); Angulo (Morientes 66'), David Silva (Joaquín 82'), Vicente; David Villa. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Betis: Rivas, Romero, Rivera, Vogel, Maldonado, Xisco for Nano, Fernando Vega, Arzu, Sobis, Fernando, Capi / Valencia: Vicente for Morientes.

Goals:
0-1. 09. David Villa. Picked up pass from Silva and struck angled shot past Doblas.
1-1. 14. Robert. Turned ball past Cañizares after Xisco shot blocked by Ayala.
2-1. 68. Robert (penalty). After Albelda took out Capi on edge of area.

Betis gave their city neighbours Sevilla a helping hand after coming from behind to beat fourth placed Valencia 2-1, the win taking Luis Fernández's side out of the relegation zone above Levante and Celta. The game got off to a lively start, Maldonado shooting in to the side netting and Raúl Albiol testing Doblas with a header. And with nine minutes on the clock David Villa put the visitors ahead after picking up a through ball from Silva.

Only five minutes later though the locals were level, Robert latching on to a loose ball after Xisco's shot was blocked to beat Cañizares from what looked like an offside position. Valencia could have gone back in front when Doblas turned a shot from Villa against the post, and then when Vicente failed to turn in an easy chance. But before half time Xisco hit the crossbar with a shot from outside of the area.

Doblas did well to close down Silva soon after the restart, but midway through the second half Betis went in front with a Robert penalty after Albelda fouled Capi on the edge of the area. The Andalusians could have had a second penalty as well when Albiol blocked Robert's shot with his arm a few minutes later. Quique Flores finally turned to Joaquín, who came on to rousing applause from his ex fans, and he almost saved a point with a late shot which Doblas beat away.