Racing Santander 1 - Deportivo La Coruña 2

Racing: Lemmens; Coromina, Moratón, Juanma, Neru; Nafti, Diego Mateo; Munitis, Benayoun (Bodipo 46'), Javi Guerrero, Txiki (Regueiro 64'). 4-2-4.
Deportivo: Juanmi; Héctor, Andrade, Naybet, Romero; Sergio, Duscher (Scaloni 73'), Mauro Silva, Amavisca (Luque 77'); Makaay, Diego Tristán (Valerón 68'). 4-4-2.

Team changes: Racing: Nafti for Ismael / Deportivo: Romero, Mauro Silva for Capdevila, Scaloni.

Goals:
0-1. 03. Makaay. Turned in close to goal after Sergio cross from right wing.
1-1. 47. Bodipo. Header running forward from left sided Guerrero cross.
1-2. 81. Luque. Hit long speculative shot which keeper didn't reach.

Deportivo La Coruña ended Racing Santander's run of three wins in a row with a 1-2 victory at the Sardinero stadium. Despite their upcoming cup semi-final in Mallorca, Irureta didn't reserve anyone and put out a full strength side, Mauro Silva returning to captain the team with Sergio switching out to the right of midfield. Within three minutes they were ahead, the country's top scorer Roy Makaay starting things off in the Gallicians' first attack, Diego Tristán sending Sergio away down the right wing with a back-heel pass for him to cross the ball in for the Dutch striker. With his marker Colomina slipping, Makaay had an easy task of turning the ball into an empty net for his nineteenth goal in the league and his 28th in all competitions this season.

Racing had been the better side overall but could not finish off their moves, and Piterman / Cos brought on Bodipo for Benayoun at half time. It proved to be an inspired move, and within a minute the new man had levelled the scores, stooping to head Javi Guerrero's cross past Juanmi. Inspired by the goal the Cantabrians went forward, and substitute Regueiro felt unlucky not to be given a penalty when Juanmi brought him down.

Irureta had to do something, and he decided to take off Tristán to put on Valerón, much to the striker's disgust, and then a few minutes later drafted in Scaloni and eventually Luque. Within four minutes of coming on Luque made his mark, collecting a pass in from the left and firing in a long shot which somehow squeezed past Lemmens. After that the visitors could have increased their lead, Lemmens saving well this time from Luque and Makaay hitting a post. But they had done enough to take away the three points which consolidates their fourth place in the table, now seven points ahead of fifth placed Celta and only three off the new leaders, Real Madrid. It was a good result to set them up for their Wednesday night cup tie.