Top scorer Salva returned to the Racing Santander side after injury with the crowd swelled by the number of clubs who had come from outside of Spain to see him. Aston Villa were the only ones to officially announce their presence, but scouts were spotted from Roma and AC Milan to name but two, and the latter had already expressed an interest in signing him in December. In the end Salva had a quiet game, and, overshadowed by his striking partner Munitis, Benitez replaced him with Rushfeldt fifteen minutes from time. He left two minutes too early as it happened: Racing were awarded a penalty after Siviero unnecessarily handled, and with the striker (who had already scored five times from the spot) off the field, Amavisca stepped up to put his side in front. Mallorca came back and three minutes later they levelled the score through Stankovic after a defensive error by the home team who left the Yugoslavian midfielder unmarked. Mallorca keeper Burgos, just back from a one match suspension, had to go off at half time with a torn arm muscle and Leo Franco once again replaced him. In the 68th minute, one of last season's stars Leo Biagini came on, and with his team only three points off the bottom, Vázquez must be hoping that he is fit enough to return to the side on a permanent basis. He had at least picked up his first point away from home this season.

Málaga versus Valencia was another game which finished with a 1-1 draw which was convenient for both sides, saving the home team manager Joaqíin Peiró's job for the time being and helping Valencia to crawl slowly away from the danger zone. Peiró brought back Contreras in goal and Agostinho in midfield, and Cúper brought in Soria at right back in place of the suspended Angulo and Juan Sánchez alongside Piojo López instead of Ilie. Luis Milla came on for Sánchez late in the second half, his first match since picking up an injury pre-season. Málaga have only picked up three points out of the last 21, but have been in front in five of those matches before this game. It happened again, with Edgar giving his side the lead in the 27th minute, controlling Rufete's cross before beating Palop. This time their lead lasted forty minutes before Piojo López produced another goal out of his bag of tricks from Carboni's pass. This was not the same Valencia that we saw in Ibrox park midweek, and one can only imagine that they are saving their best for the Champions League. Cúper is looking to strengthen the side in December, and has almost definitely signed Gerardo from Villarreal to cover the right back position. Three points from the bottom, his side are not yet out of danger, but he is at least better off than Peiró who's team are next to last, and with a visit to Barcelona next week it ain't going to get much better in the short term.