Espanyol 1 - Real Sociedad 0

Espanyol: Kameni; Velasco, Lacruz, Torrejón, David García (Jarque 80'); Edu Costa, Ito; Corominas (Luis García 76'), Jonatas, Moha (Riera 68'); Pandiani. 4-2-3-1.
Real Sociedad: Bravo; Gerardo, Ansotegi, Víctor López, López Rekarte; Xabi Prieto (Novo 76'), Diego Rivas, Mikel Alonso (Díaz de Cerio 64'), Garitano, Savio; Herrera (Kovacevic 51'). 4-5-1.

Team changes: Espanyol: Velasco, David García, Edu Costa, Ito, Corominas, Jonatas, Moha, Pandiani for Jarque, Chica, Rufete, Moisés Hurtado, De la Peña, Riera, Luis García, Tamudo / Real: López Rekarte, Mikel Alonso, Herrera for Garrido, Díaz de Cerio, Kovacevic.

Goals:
1-0. 57. Corominas. Picked up long Jonatas pass and beat Bravo at second try.

Espanyol are up to ninth after beating Real Sociedad 1-0 on Sunday night, a result which leaves the Basque side closer to relegation. With an important UEFA cup tie coming up at Benfica midweek, Valverde left out several of his key players. And it was not until ten minutes before the break that they had the first chance, Pandiani having a goal disallowed for offside even though the ball had touched a defender beforehand.

Real could have scored themselves before the break though, Kameni dropping a long shot but Herrera and Savio both failing to turn in the rebound. But a few minutes after the restart Corominas got what was to be the only goal of the game, beating Bravo at the second attempt after a good run by Jonatas. It was an ironic blow for visiting coach Miguel Angel Lotina, "Coro" being the man who's goal kept Espanyol up at the end of last season when Lotina himself was in charge at Montjuic. Real ended the weekend eight points away from safety.