Athletic Bilbao 1 - Rayo Vallecano 2

Athletic:Lafuente; Larrainzar (Guerrero 60'), Lacruz, Roberto Rios, Carlos García, Felipe (Edu Alonso 46'); Joseba Etxeberria, Alkiza, Urrutia, Tiko (Urzaiz 71'); Ezquerro. 5-4-1.
Rayo: Lopetegui; Cota, Amaya, Hernández, Alcázar; Llorens (Luis Cembranos 69'), Poschner (Pablo Sanz 40'), Helder (Ferrón 60'), Michel I; Bolo, Canabal. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Bilbao:Tiko, Ezquerro for Yeste, Asensio / Rayo: Poschner for Pablo Sanz.

Goals:
0-1. 03. Michel I. After Canabal pulled ball back from goalline on right.
0-2. 38. Llorens (penalty). After hand ball by Rios which referee didn't see at first.
1-2. 50. Ezquerro. Picked up pass down middle by Etxeberria and rounded keeper.

Rayo Vallecano had never won in Athletic s San Mames stadium before the start of this season, and now they have done it twice. In December they eliminated their rivals from the cup after winning 0-1 in Bilbao, and now they have recorded their first ever league win in the stadium. The match was overshadowed by the announcement during the week by the Bilbao board that their manager Luis Fernández would not be continuing next season after being in charge for 150 games. Several names were mentioned as replacement including that of his opponent today, Juande Ramos, who has also announced that he will not be staying at Rayo next season. The firm favourite however is Zaragoza s Txetxu Rojo, an ex Bilbao player and a keen supporter of the club. If he does go, Ramos would also be a candidate for that job. Luis brought back Santi Ezquerro for the injured youngster Asensio, and decided to include Tiko for Yeste in the starting line up. There was no place however for his two Spanish internationals Julen Guerrero and Urzaiz, although both did make an appearance in the second half as the home side fought for an equaliser. Juande could count on his striker Bolo, currently on loan from Bilbao, after his fifth yellow card was cancelled by the appeal committee. That meant that Luis Cembranos had to stay on the bench once again, with the only change being the return of Poschner in midfield after missing a game through injury.

Málaga 3 - Sevilla 0

Málaga: Contreras; Rojas (Sandro 46'), Roteta, Fernando Sanz, Valcarce; Ruano, Movilla, De los Santos, Rufete; Darío Silva (Luque 80'), Catanha (Musampa 91'). 4-4-2.
Sevilla: Olsen; Héctor, Germán, Hibic, Tabaré (Olivera 35'); Juric, Víctor, Angel, Jesuli; Juan Carlos (Francisco 46'), Zalayeta. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Málaga: Roteta, Valcarce for Larrainzar, Iznata / Sevilla: Germán, Tabaré, Víctor, Jesuli for Marchena, Nando, Quevedo, Tsartas.

Goals:
1-0. 63. Catanha. Unmarked in goal area after square pass from Darío Silva.
2-0. 88. Rufete. Worked a one two with Catanha who played in from right.
3-0. 92. Luque. Won ball off defender in penalty area and chipped Olsen.

Sevilla's local rivals Málaga put an end to any realistic chance of them staying in the first division with a walkaway victory, which should at the same time ensure the home side's continuity in the top flight. It is easy to criticise in hindsight, but Sevilla were not really prepared for their stay in the first division, winning promotion in the playoffs after a late charge up the second division last season. Rather than stick with the players who got them there (as did for example Rayo Vallecano), they decided to use the cheque book liberally. However by the time they were sure that they would be going up all the bargain shelves were empty, and they finally bought a job lot from Uruguay to make up their squad. The hotchpotch of players didn't fit together well, and although they arrogantly brushed aside comments by erstwhile relegation rivals such as Alavés (and look where they are now) that they would both be fighting for survival, the reality was something else. Caretaker manager Juan Carlos Alvarez was at a loss to know what to do next, and with Nando suspended and Marchena injured he brought B team defender Germán Rojas in for his first match. The youngster played his part well at first, but ten minutes into the second half he went a step too far with a tackle, and referee Llonch Andreu sent him off for a second bookable offense. That was the turning point of the match, and although Málaga were themselves reduced to ten men five minutes from time when Fernando Sanz also picked up two yellow cards, Catanha had already struck his 22nd of the season and the match couldn't be saved. The home side added two more near the end, the second of which was a masterpiece by under 21 striker Luque who chipped the keeper after holding off four defenders. Earlier Catanha had set up Málaga's new Spanish international Rufete for the second goal. Sevilla are now nine points away from fourth to bottom club Betis, and with six games remaining they are already starting to plan for next season in the second division. Betis president Ruiz de Lopera has expressed concern that his city rivals could try and scupper them as well, given that Sevilla still have to play relegation contenders Atlético Madrid and Oviedo and they might not try very hard in those games. However the Sevilla president Roberto Alés brushed off the comments with disdain. Málaga meanwhile can even join the dream of several clubs in the middle of the table that they could be in Europe next year. They are currently eleventh, but are only two points away from seventh. A good run could get them there.