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First Division - Day 24

Espanyol 1 - Betis 0

Espanyol: Kiko Casilla; Mattioni (Javi López 61'), Colotto, Héctor Moreno, Capdevila; Víctor Sánchez, Raúl Rodríguez; Stuani, Verdú (Cristian Gómez 87'), Simao; Sergio García (Longo 90'). 4-2-3-1.
Betis: Adrián; Chica, Paulao (Perquis 84'), Amaya, Nacho; Beñat, Rubén Pérez, Nono (Juan Carlos 59'); Joel Campbell, Jorge Molina, Pabón (Angel 83'). 4-3-3.

Goals:
1-0. 07. Sergio García. Fired shot in off post after Stuani headed back cross.

Yellow cards: Víctor Sánchez 35', Mattioni 50', Paulao 60', Capdevila 64', Simao 78'.

Betis drop away from the European spots after a 1-0 defeat at Espanyol, and with two points out of a possible 15 their hopes of European football next season are rapidly disappearing. At the midpoint of the season no less than 16 points separated the two sides, but the Catalans have closed that gap to five after winning five of their last six games under new coach Javier Aguirre. The only goal came early on, Sergio García poking a shot in off the post after Stuani headed back Capdevila's long cross, and the striker came close to a second when he just failed to turn in Verdú's cross soon afterwards. Beñat replied with an inswinging corner which bounced off the bar, and Mattioni and Pabón both felt they should have had a penalty when tackled by the other later on in the first half. After the interval there were chances for both teams, but the locals held on for a fifth home win in a row win which gives them hope of reaching the European places this summer.