Villarreal 4 - Racing Santander 2

Villarreal: López Vallejo; Xavi Roca, Quique Alvarez, Berruet, Arruabarrena; Jorge López, Amor (Schelotto 76'), Javier Gracia, Cagna (Craioveanu 72'); Víctor, Palermo (Moisés 65'). 4-4-2.
Racing: Ceballos; Mellberg, Ramis, Arzeno, Juanma; Manjarín (Amavisca 46'), Colsa (Espina 46'), Ismael, Vivar Dorado; Regueiro (Magallanes 62'), Mazzoni. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Villarreal: No change / Racing: Manjarín, Vivar Dorado for Julio Alvarez, Amavisca.

Goals:
1-0. 11. Cagna. Shot over advancing keeper after receiving pass from Gracia.
2-0. 37. Jorge López. Took back-heeled pass from Víctor and shot from right.
3-0. 53. Palermo. Touched in with heel after pass in from Víctor.
4-0. 74. Craioveanu. Took advantage of error by Ramis to beat Ceballos.
4-1. 75. Magallanes. Spectacular free kick over wall from 30 yards.
4-2. 88. Mazzoni. Received square pass from Espina to shoot past López Vallejo.

Villarreal consolidated their sixth place in the league with a convincing performance against a Racing Santander side who ended the day at the bottom of the first division. The defeat cost manager Gregorio Manzano his job, Racing's second manager of the season after Andoni Goikoetxea going the same way as his predecessor, with last year's manager Gustavo Benítez coming back to take over to the end of the season.

Racing were never in the game, with Cagna finally beating Ceballos after Víctor had gone close twice in the first few minutes. Víctor had been Manzano's main fear, and although he didn't score himself, he laid on the next two goals for Jorge López and Martín Palermo before the hour was up. Palermo's goal in particular was a delight to watch, the flamboyant striker deftly steering Víctor's cross in to the net with the back of his heel. Racing had no reply, and after Manzano put on two men at half time he took off the only player who had caused any problems for López Vallejo, Regueiro, bringing on Magallanes.

As it happened it was not a bad move, the Uruguayan pulling one back with a glorious free kick, but not before Craioveanu had been gifted a goal by the Racing defence within a minute of coming on. Mazzoni made the result look a bit better with his team's second at the end, but the 300 or so Racing fans who made the long journey were not fooled, and they booed the players as they made their way to the team coach afterwards. The subsequent change of manager may not solve anything, as the root of the problem lies with the quality of the team after Munitis and Salva left last year, but with three out of four teams at the bottom due to be relegated they had to do something. It may not be enough.