Espanyol 0 - Málaga 2

Espanyol: Mora; Cristóbal, Nando, Pochettino, Toledo; Navas, Velamazán, Galca, Sergio; Serrano, Tamudo. 4-4-2.
Málaga: Contreras; Rojas, Bravo, Larrainzar, Valcarce; Rufete, De los Santos, Movilla, Agostinho; Catanha, Edgar. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Pochettino, Toledo, Sergio for Lopo, Roger, De Lucas / No Change.

Goals:
0-1. 70. Darío Silva. From Catanha's pass.
0-2. 73. Rufete. After Catanha drew out Mora.

Espanyol manager Miguel Angel Brindisi was fired after his team put up another disappointing performance against a surprisingly efficient Málaga. Brindisi had already been on a tightrope after a string of bad results (one victory in eight games) moved them close to the bottom of the table, and after five hours of meetings lead by president Daniel Sánchez Llibre, the board decided he must go, with second team coach Paco Flores taking over as caretaker until the end of the season (Radomir Antic was apparently approached, but he turned down the offer). Ironically the man who brought about Brindisi's downfall was a player who was on Espanyol's books last year, Darío Silva, who Brindisi wanted to retain but thanks to the indecision of the club over the transfer fee eventually joined Málaga. He had not been playing regularly, but he came on in the second half for Edgar and within five minutes had driven home the first stake. Three minutes later ex Barcelona midfielder Rufete finished it off after Catanha, for once provider rather than executioner, had juggled with the ball in the penalty area. Catanha misses the next game through suspension and will be sorely missed, his contributions this season helping his team to 9th place in the league. Espanyol, with new signing Toledo making his debut at left back, are now one place away from the relegation places.

Real Sociedad 1 - Sevilla 1

Real Sociedad: Alberto; Rekarte, Loren, Pikabea, Aranzábal; Guerrero; Llorente, Khokhlov, Aranburu; Sa Pinto, Bonilla. 4-1-3-2.
Sevilla: Valencia; Marchena, Hibic, Prieto; Héctor, Francisco, Quevedo, Nando; Tsartas, Jesuli, Zalayeta. 3-4-1-2.

Team changes: López Rekarte, Llorente, Aranburu, Bonilla for Corino, Gómez, De Pedro, Idiakez / Marchena, Prieto for Tabaré, Loren.

Goals:
0-1. 30. Quevedo. Sprinted through after pass from Tsartas.
1-1. 92. Félix Guerrero. Header from cross from Aranzábal.

Real Sociedad's bad season continues, although they escaped from a worse fate after drawing in the last minute against bottom team Sevilla. The first half of the season was Real's worst since they were relegated in 1967-8, and manager Javier Clemente is hoping that their three new mid-season signings can help to turn things around. With Spanish international De Pedro out for several weeks, youngster Llorente made his first ever start for his team with another youngster Gurrutxaga on the bench, and Bonilla returned once again in attack alongside Sa Pinto. Sevilla manager Marcos Alonso is a bit of a headless chicken at the moment, changing his side each week in a desperate attempt to find a winning formula, and several names have been touted around as possible replacements, including ex Argentinian strker Mario Kempes. The result saved Alonso's hide for the moment, but with neighbours Betis also unhappy with Griguol, expect two new faces in Sevilla within the next few weeks. In fact the visitors were desperately unlucky not to take the three points after holding on to a one goal lead for most of the match. Julen's brother, Félix Guerrero, saved his side a point with a last gasp header after many of the 21,000 fans had already left the ground. A plastic water bottle thrown on to the pitch by disgruntled fans in the first half could result in the closure of the ground, or at least a fine, for the Donastaria club. Meanwhile both teams stay in the relegation spots, with Sevilla now four points adrift of their rivals and Oviedo.