With Real Sociedad languishing one point away from the bottom and with Bernd Krauss's sullen looks turning local housewives milk sour, the board finally decided that enough was enough and gave the manager his marching orders. His replacement was a bit of a surprise though: ex national team manager Javier Clemente is a lifelong supporter of their arch rivals Athletic Bilbao (member number 10307 for those interested in statistics), rather akin to George Graham joining Tottenham Hotspur. Clemente took his team to one of his ex clubs, an improving Betis, and was booed onto the park for his troubles. Clemente opted for a 4-2-3-1 system with Bonilla returning up front and Julen's brother José Félix Guerrero in midfield alongside Juan Gómez. López Rekarte and Mutiu were both suspended after being sent off last week. Griguol brought in Ito for his first start of the season in place of the injured Alexis, and ex Barcelona forward Cuéllar was back on the bench for the first time in a year after a long injury, coming on to prolonged applause late in the match. The only goal of a dull game came on the stroke of half time, Alfonso's long through ball catching the Real defence napping for Finidi to dash forward and beat Prats. Guerrero had to be replaced with Kuhbauer before half time after picking up a leg injury, and Clemente threw on Aldeondo and De Paula for Idiakez and Bonilla early in the second half. Betis's third victory in a row leaves them in sixth place, with Real Sociedad third from bottom one point ahead of Sevilla. With the threat of closure hanging over the Ruiz de Lopera stadium after a knife was thrown on to the pitch during the derby match with Sevilla, loud speaker announcements before the match asked the crowd to behave, but also virtually accused Sevilla supporters of infiltrating the crowd and provoking incidents. The war continues.....

Celta's good run ran head first in referee Megía Dávila, who sent off two of their midfielders, Mostovoi and Makele, a minute either side of half time, and showed no less than thirteen yellow cards in a match which was physical but not violent. According to the referee's report, Mostovoi's crime was to say to him "don't you know that the defensive wall has to be at 10 metres..." (first yellow), and immediately afterwards shouting "...and on top of that you show me a yellow card when you know I'm right" (second yellow and off). I wouldn't like to see what he does to the player who calls him a blind b*stard! Celta brought back Sergio in the centre of defence leaving Velasco to join Revivo on the bench. After a good start Alavés had only picked up two points in their last five matches, and Mané decided to play an attacking line up, with Kodro and Magno supported by Nan Ribera and Astudillo. Megía added to his controversy by disallowing two goals for the local side in the first half, the first by Magno for a foul by Kodro, and the second by Kodro who was ruled offside. With their team down to nine men, and with players tired after a gruelling journey from Vigo (they travelled most of the way by bus after their flight was grounded by fog), Celta drew the wagons into a circle and prepared for the onslaught. Fernández brought on Velasco in place of Gustavo López and they settled down to defend. Mané then played his trump card, Julio Salinas, who came on for an ineffective Magno. Within two minutes Salinas had broken through, heading in Josete's cross from close range to give his team the much needed three points. alavés rise to ninth place on 14 points, and Celta drop to fifth, still only four points from the top.