Only one game to go before the Christmas break, and referees were in a giving mood. Pino Zamorano gifted a first half penalty to Betis, ruling that Onopko had pushed over Alfonso from behind. He obviously got a bit miffed though when Alfonso effectively turned down his offer by missing the kick, and he ruled out a Joao Tomas goal in the second half for no other apparent reason than out of spite. Ramírez Domínguez (or his linesman) also presented Sevilla with a first half penalty when Barcelona's Christanval pulled back Reyes a yard or more outside of the area. Barça must have done something to upset him though, and he turned down two appeals from them for more obvious penalties later in the game. Not that it would have made a lot of difference, the way Van Gaal's side were playing. (18.12.02)