Tenerife 1 - Espanyol 1

Tenerife: Sergio Aragoneses; Javi Venta, Alexis, Lussenhoff, Basavilbaso; Jordi (Simutenkov 71'), Jaime, Bassedas (Iván Ania 69'), Xisco (Martí 51'); Bicho Fuertes, Bruno Marioni. 4-4-2.
Espanyol: Mora; Navas, Lopo, Rotchen, Ricardo Cavas; Morales, Alex Fernández; De Lucas, Palencia (Munteanu 65'), Roger (David Catalá 72'); Tamudo (Aganzo 75'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Tenerife: Sergio Aragoneses, Jordi, Bicho Fuertes for Julio Iglesias, Manel, Bino / Espanyol: Rotchen for Soldevilla.

Goals:
1-0. 03. Fuertes. Half hit shot which beat Mora and went in off post.
1-1. 20. Tamudo. Far post header after defender headed back Alex corner.

Bottom club Tenerife were held to a 1-1 draw by Espanyol, a result which nevertheless takes them level with Rayo Vallecano and only two points away from sixteenth placed Real. This was Javier Clemente's second game in charge, and he brought back keeper Aragoneses and striker Fuertes after they missed his first match through suspension. Bino though was out with a one match ban, and Jordi came in to midfield in his place. Fuertes had only scored once in 27 league games under Pepe Mel, but he did so with only three minutes on the clock under his new boss, albeit a little fortunately when his mistimed shot caught Mora off guard and went in off the post. He should have added another a few minutes later, but this time the keeper was more attentive and foiled him twice in a row. Once let off the hook Espanyol punished his mistake, Tamudo getting his third goal in as many games with a far post header from Alex's corner.

Aragoneses punched clear a dangerous shot from Roger after the break, and Mora had to save well from Jordi after he failed to clear an earlier attack. The game changed though midway through the second half when Rotchen got himself sent off after picking up two yellow cards in ten minutes, and Paco Flores pulled his men back to defend the point. Clemente brought on an extra forward Simutenkov, but he was lacking match practise and could only head straight at the keeper when presented with a chance in front of goal. Time ran out, and the Canary Islanders left the ground feeling they should have earned more than just a point in the end. Espanyol were more pleased with themselves, and they are now only four points below the UEFA spots having gone six games without defeat.