Numancia 3 - Rayo Vallecano 1

Numancia: Nuñez; Belsué, Jaume, Muñiz, Iván Rocha, Octavio; Pacheta, Nagore, Castaño; Rubén Navarro, Ojeda. 5-3-2.
Rayo: Keller; Estibariz, Hernández, Clotet, Alcázar; Ferrón, Poschner, Llorens; Cembranos, Canabal, Bolo. 4-3-3.

Being league leaders does not suit Rayo Vallecano. This was their fourth match which they have started in first position, and the fourth they have lost. Both teams came into the match with unbeaten records, Numancia at home and Rayo away, so something had to give (well alright, a draw would have kept both records intact). The game was played with snow on the edge of the pitch and one goalmouth frozen over, but referee Brito Arceo decided the game could go ahead. Rayo were without captain Cota, replaced by Clotet, and Numancia brought in Muñiz in defence. All four goals came in the second half, with Rayo actually taking the lead through Canabal after Nuñez had missed Ferrón's cross. The home side equalised when Rayo were temporarily down to ten men, with Hernández off the pitch injured, and despite the protests of the Madrid team players, Rubén Navarro's goal from close range was allowed to stand. Substitute Morales put the Soria side ahead ten minutes from time with a strong shot from out wide, and then had to go back off with an injury. Castaño put the result beyond doubt in injury time with a bending shot from outside of the area which left Kasey Keller stranded. Rayo drop to third two points behind the Gallician clubs, but with everyone beating everyone else they are still in the running. Numancia keep up their good form and are holding on to a position in midtable.

Betis 2 - Zaragoza 0

Betis: Prats; Crosa, Karhan, Filipescu, Rivas; Finidi, Merino, Ito, Benjamín; Romero, Oli. 4-4-2.
Zaragoza: Juanmi; Pablo, Aguado, Paco, Solana; Acuña, Aragón; Juanele, José Ignacio, Vellisca; Milosevic. 4-2-3-1.

Second placed Zaragoza dropped to fourth after losing a match which they can claim with some justification that the referee Iturralde González cost them the three points. Iturralde awarded a penalty to Betis for a foul by Acuña on Romero which appeared to be well outside of the area, disallowed a goal by Juanele for a dubious handball (the player claimed he controlled the ball with his shoulder), and booked Milosevic for diving in the penalty area in an incident which others may have awarded a penalty. Griguol left out Denilson from his side after the player's long trip with Brazil, bringing in Benjamín, and was without Alfonso, who picked up a shoulder injury playing for Spain midweek and is likely to be out for a couple of weeks. Rojo was without Jamelli, and finally opted for José Ignacio to replace him. Acuña was included despite just returning from Paraguay where he played 90 minutes for his country against Uruguay midweek. Finidi scored both goals for the Sevillian side, the first an individual effort halfway through the first half, and the second from the penalty spot in the second half. He now has ten goals to his name in the league this season. Betis move up to sixth, occupying one of the two UEFA cup spots.