Espanyol 2 - Mallorca 1

Espanyol: Mora; Fran, Soldevilla, Lopo, Ricardo Cavas; Alex Fernández, Raúl Vates (David Catalá 71'); De Lucas (Palencia 61'), Martín Posse, Roger (Iván Díaz 55'); Tamudo. 4-2-3-1.
Mallorca: Leo Franco; Campano, Olaizola, Nadal, Siviero, Miguel Soler; Novo (Riera 81'), Paco Soler, Marcos (Paunovic 70'); Eto'o, Luque (Carlos 79'). 5-3-2.

Team changes: Espanyol: Mora, Lopo, Raúl Vates, Roger for Argensó, Rotchen, Morales, Iván Díaz / Mallorca: Olaizola, for Paunovic.

Goals:
1-0. 23. Alex. Shot low past keeper from outside of area after short Roger pass.
1-1. 27. Luque. Got above defence to head home Campano's floated cross.
2-1. 80. Martín Posse. Won ball back in area and chipped over Leo Franco.

Espanyol's Paco Flores breathed a sigh of relief after his side beat Mallorca thanks to a late goal from Martín Posse. It had been a bad week for the manager, with former club captain Miguel Angel Benítez sidelined after criticising his boss, problems with a recurring injuriy to Oscar and the team only a point away from the relegation zones. With keeper Argensó and Morales suspended Mora took over in goal and youngster Raúl Vates was drafted in to the starting line up for the first time. Oscar's brother Roger was back though after a long period out, and Lopo returned from international duty with Spain's under 21s. Olaizola returned for Sergio Kresic's side after a one match ban, and Eto'o passed a late fitness test to play.

The teams (or rather the referees) came out to protests from the local fans about the performance of Turienzo Alvarez the week before, although Megia Dávila had a quiet game with nothing for them to complain about this time. Alex Fernández did give the fans something to shout about with his first goal since returning to the club, but their joy was short-lived as Luque equalised four minutes later. Other than that the first half was rather dull, but the action picked up early in the second half with Tamudo going close at one end and then accidentally (according to the referee) stopping Nadal's header with his arm. Mallorca were starting to get on top, but then a moment of inspiration from Martín Posse changed everything and left Mallorca back down in the relegation spots. Espanyol are now three points above them, but with only six separating the European places from the drop zone a couple of good or bad results can alter things very quickly. For once though the home fans went home happy.