Espanyol 1 - Zaragoza 2

Espanyol: Kameni; Velasco (Moha 73'), Jarque, Torrejón, Chica; Corominas, Edu Costa, Jonatas (Julián 45'), Riera (Pandiani 62'); Luis García, Tamudo. 4-4-2.
Zaragoza: César; Diogo, Gabriel Milito, Piqué, Juanfran; Zapater, Movilla; Oscar González, Sergio García (Chus Herrero 90'), D'Alessandro (Lafita 74'); Diego Milito (Ewerthon 65'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Espanyol: Torrejón, Corominas, Edu Costa, Jonatas for Lacruz, Rufete, Moisés Hurtado, De la Peña / Zaragoza: Diogo, Movilla, Oscar González, D'Alessandro for Chus Herrero, Sergio, Lafita, Aimar.

Goals:
0-1. 54. Sergio García. Ran on to long ball from Pique to shoot past Kameni.
1-1. 85. Luis García. Connected with lifted pass from Costa to shoot wide of César.
1-2. 86. Sergio García. Got on end of Ewerthon cross and forced shot past keeper.

Zaragoza consolidated sixth spot, moving up to within a point of Atlético Madrid, after winning 1-2 at Espanyol. The locals were looking to come back after their thrashing at Nàstic last weekend, and they came close several times before the break. Tamudo had an effort saved from César and Torrejón headed wide of the target a couple of times from dead ball kicks, with the visitors only replying with a Sergio García header wide of goal.

A few minutes after the restart though, Piqué won the ball in midfield allowing Oscar to drop a long ball into the path of Sergio García. And the ex Barça striker didn't fail, beating Kameni with an angled shot from left of goal. Espanyol didn't have another chance until Corominas tested César with a long shot, and Ewerthon could have scored had Torrejón not cleared off the line after Kameni could only partly block his shot.

With five minutes to go the home side drew level, Luis García getting on the end of a lifted pass by Edu Costa to turn the ball past the keeper. But a lapse of concentration allowed the visitors to restore the lead, Sergio García getting on the end of Ewerthon's cross to force a shot under Kameni. It was a second defeat in a row for Valverde's side, who have started the second half of the season as they began the first.