Oviedo 1 - Espanyol 0

Oviedo: Esteban; Boris, Onopko, Danjou; Amieva, Paulo Bento, Iván Anía, Rabarivony; Pompei; Losada, Dely Valdés. 3-4-1-2.
Espanyol: Mora; Cristóbal, Pochettino, Soldevila, Navas; Velamazán, Galca, Sergio, Arteaga; Benítez, Tamudo. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Oviedo: Amieva for Eskurza / Espanyol: Soldevila, Navas for Nando, Toledo.

Goals:
1-0. 76. Rubén. Substitute striker heads in cross on far post.

Oviedo are proving to be this year's Jekyll and Hyde team, without a win away in almost a year, but with 23 points from eleven matches at home. They scraped another narrow victory (their fifth 1-0 of the season), this time at the expense of Espanyol, with a headed goal scored by young striker Rubén fifteen minutes from time. Rubén started the season on loan to Eibar, but was brought back in December after scoring eight goals for the second division side. Espanyol, who had new signing Toledo and veteran defender Nando both out through injury (Toledo may be out for some time), were the better side in the first half, with Galca in particular hitting the post with a well taken free kick. Luis Aragonés decided to put all his meat in the roaster (as they say around here), and once more put on his three substitutes within a few minutes of the re-start. On came Rubén, Eskurza and Juan González for Iván Ania, Rabarivony and Losada, and the game came alive, with the local crowd getting behind their team. Espanyol keeper Mora, who played six seasons in Oviedo, was received with an ovation by their supporters, but he was instrumental in keeping out shots from Pompei and Losada before Rubén finally squeezed one past him. Flores brought on Serrano and Posse after the goal, but it was too late. The victory eases the pressure on Aragonés after their surprising defeat in the cup midweek by second division Mérida, and they climb out of the relegation zone above Real Sociedad, Racing and Betis. It also brings them level with their opponents Espanyol, who are starting to slide again after a good start by their caretaker manager Paco Flores. Rayo's 'anager Juande Ramos has apparently been pencilled in for next season, but they have to stay up first. The next few matches will be crucial for both sides.

Sevilla 1 - Racing 0

Sevilla: Olsen; Marchena, Hibic, Prieto; Héctor, Quevedo, Tsartas, Angel; Víctor; Juan Carlos, Zalayeta. 3-4-1-2.
Racing: Ceballos; Mellberg, Neru, Sietes; Manjarín, Espina, Colsa, Amavisca; Vivar Dorado; Munitis, Salva. 3-4-1-2.

Team changes: Sevilla: Quevedo, Angel, Víctor for Nando, Tabaré, Francisco / Racing: Neru for Txema.

Goals:
1-0. 63. Zalayeta. Tsartas chip crossed by Juan Carlos for Zalayeta to score.

Bottom club Sevilla got a lifeline with a tense victory against relegation rivals Racing. With two current Spanish international forwards in their line up, Munitis and the league's top scorer Salva, the Santander team should be doing better, but a series of poor results has brought them down into the drop zone in one of the closest leagues for years. They don't really have too many excuses either, with fewer injuries than many teams, although key Argentinian defender Arzeno has been left out of the side after being accused of fighting in a bar. Their manager Benítez's job was already on the line before last week's match and their victory against Oviedo saved him then, but the loss puts him back in the firing line. Sevilla were the better team throughout the match, with Angel coming in to the side and playing a starring role, and Lemmens was forced to save from young striker Víctor on a couple of occasions, and also from Tsartas and Hibic. The Bosnian central defender had been involved in a slanging match with Salva (an ex Sevilla player) all week. In the end Hibic came out on top, Salva failed to score once again, and is rapidly being caught for the 'pichichi' title by Hasselbaink and Milosevic. The goal when it came was another work of art by Greek international Tsartas, and his delightful chip was met by Juan Carlos, whose shot-cum-cross was turned in by Zalayeta inside the six yard box. Rushfeldt came on to join the Racing attack, but from then on it was Olsen's turn to shine in the Sevilla goal, and the home side narrow the gap a bit with the rest of the pack. Ironically the Sevilla fans, renown for their sense of humour, directed chants roughly translated as 'you're going down again' to local rivals Betis, who are only just a little bit better off than themselves. The teams meet in three weeks time, and the air is already turning blue. Could be winner take all. Don't miss the next thrilling instalment.......