Tenerife 3 - Osasuna 1

Tenerife: Julio Iglesias; Manel (Jordi 46'), Alexis, Lussenhoff, Basavilbaso; Jaime, Bino; Javi Venta, Bassedas (Martí 86'), Xisco (Iván Ania 75');Bruno Marioni. 4-2-3-1.
Osasuna: Unzué; Cruchaga, Contreras, Jusué; Yanguas, Puñal, Izquierdo (Palacios 46'); Alfredo, Sabino (Iván Rosado 59'), Fernando (Rivero 78'); Aloisi. 3-3-3-1.

Team changes: Tenerife: Julio Iglesias, Manel, Bino, Xisco for Sergio Aragoneses, Martí, Iván Ania, Bicho Fuertes / Osasuna: Izquierdo, Sabino for Palacios, Iván Rosado.

Goals:
1-0. 29. Alexis. Header on far post following Marioni free kick from left.
2-0. 62. Jordi. Took Bino pass on right of area and shot into corner of net.
2-1. 63. Alexis (own goal). Headed ball over own keeper trying to clear.
3-1. 92. Iván Ania. From close range after Marioni run down right wing.

Javier Clemente is back, and don't we know it. The former manager of the national side celebrated his return to Spanish football with a victory which gives bottom club Tenerife an outside chance of survival. Clemente took over from Pepe Mel during the week under controversial circumstances, his signing by club president Javier Pérez provoking the resignation of the his technical director after he had recommended their old manager Lillo. However the president can be happy that his new man has at least got off to a good start, giving his side their first victory in eight games and taking them level with Mallorca, only two points now from getting out of the bottom three. Clemente made few changes to his side apart from those forced upon him by the suspension of Aragoneses and Fuertes, but there was a visible change in the attitude of the players, who fought for every ball and for the first time in many weeks set out believing they could win.

After a good start Xisco hit the post with a header midway through the first half, and a few minutes later headed on Marioni's free kick for Alexis to finish off. Osasuna were not going to take it lying down though, wanting to defend their record of the only undefeated team in 2002, and Puñal hit the post with a shot from 35 metres out. However they were overpowered by a transformed side, and after a period of pressure around half time Jordi added a second beating Unzué from the edge of the area. Alexis spoilt a perfect performance by heading over Julio Iglesias into his own net while trying to clear, but substitute Iván Ania restored the two goal cushion in injury time much to the delight of the long suffering fans. If he gets them out of this one there could be a shrine built to Saint Javier. It wouldn't be the first one.