Espanyol 1 - Betis 2

Espanyol: Casilla; Zabaleta, Lacruz, Torrejón, David García; Valdo, Angel Martínez (De la Peña 66'), Lola, Riera (Moha 79'); Luis García, Jonathan Soriano (Corominas 72'). 4-4-2.
Betis: Ricardo; Damià, Melli, Juanito, Fernando Vega; Arzu, Rivera; Edu, Capi, Caffa (Xisco 88'); Pavone. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Espanyol: Casilla, Angel Martínez, Riera, Jonathan Soriano for Lafuente, Moisés Hurtado, Moha, Tamudo / Betis: Juanito, Fernando Vega for Ilic, Juande.

Goals:
0-1. 45. Rivera. Ran on to Arzu through ball and rolled shot past Casilla.
1-1. 51. Luis García. Curled free kick over defensive wall wide of Ricardo .
1-2. 89. Edu. Got on end of Xisco's long cross to head down past keeper.

A broken arm in a midweek training ground accident left Espanyol without team captain Tamudo, and his absence was noted as they lost 1-2 to Betis. Luis García and Valdo both brought saves in the opening minutes from Ricardo, who also tipped a lob from Jonathan Soriano over the top. But Pavone, Caffa and Damià went close for the visitors, and with the first half coming to a close Rivera ran on to Arzu's through ball to roll a shot past third choice keeper Casilla, who was in the line up due to the unavailability of Kameni and Lafuente.

Luis García equalised with a well struck free kick six minutes in to the second half and Riera had a penalty appeal waved away a few minutes later. Caffa and Edu both failed to hit the target, and Coro hit the bar near the end. But once again the Andalusians struck in the dying actions of the half, substitute Xisco (who had only come on seconds earlier) crossing in for Edu to head a last minute winner. It was third defeat in a row for Valverde's side, although they stay in touch with the top sides after their closest rivals all failed to win. Betis move up to fourteenth, now three points above the drop zone.