Espanyol 0 - Zaragoza 2

Espanyol: Lemmens; Tayfun, Torricelli, Lopo, David García; Morales, Domoraud (Fredson 73'), Alex Fernández (Bobson 35'); Maxi, Jordi Cruyff; Raúl Molina (Corominas 62'). 4-3-2-1.
Zaragoza: Lainez; Rebosio, Milito, Alvaro, Toledo; Ponzio, Soriano; Galletti, Corona (Iban Espadas 86'), Savio (Cani 80'); David Villa. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Espanyol: Lemmens, Raúl Molina for Toni, Tamudo / Zaragoza: No change.

Goals:
0-1. 10. Galletti. Spectacular overhead kick after collecting Villa cross from right.
0-2. 23. Alvaro. Drove home loose ball after defence failed to clear free kick.

Espanyol's recovery was short lived, and after last week's victory in Santander they once again fell to their fourth defeat in a row at home, this time against a Zaragoza team led by their old manager Paco Flores. Javier Clemente's side found themselves behind in the tenth minute of the game when David Villa jinked through the defence down the right wing and crossed the ball in, Galletti trapping it on his chest with his back to goal and surprised Lemmens with a glorious overhead kick. And a quarter of an hour later Alvaro made it two after Domoraud failed to deal with Savio's free kick. Savio could have made it three before the break with two more free kicks, the first striking the post and the second bringing a good save out of Lemmens, and the home side players left the field at the break to boos from their own fans.

Clemente's reply after the break didn't go down well either with them, the manager taking off his sole striker Raúl Molina to bring on young B team midfielder Corominas. Two minutes later team captain Morales picked up a second yellow card, and the game was effectively over. The few supporters who had stayed to the end chanted for Clemente's resignation after the final whistle and then turned on the directors' box. Club president Daniel Sánchez Llibre resisted at first, taking the blame himself and offering to resign if a motion of no confidence voted against him at the next members' meeting. But under pressure from the other board members later in the week he finally gave in and gave his manager the sack. Ex Athletic Bilbao and Paris Saint Germain boss Luis Fernández was named as his replacement and took over immediately. He has a lot of work to do.