Espanyol 0 - Osasuna 1

Espanyol: Toni; Marc Bertrán (Velamazán 28'), Lopo, Domoraud, David García; Tayfun, Fredson (Morales 46');Maxi, De la Peña, Jordi Cruyff (Bobson 72'); Tamudo. 4-2-3-1.
Osasuna: Sanzol; Izquierdo, Cruchaga, Josetxo, Antonio López; Valdo (Muñoz 73'), Puñal, Pablo García, Moha; Bakayoko (Webó 59'), Aloisi (Gorka García 52'). 4-4-2.

Team changes: Espanyol: Marc Bertrán, Lopo, Tayfun, De la Peña for Torricelli, Soldevilla, Héctor, Velamazán / Osasuna: No change.

Goals:
0-1. 87. Webó. Cut in from left past two defenders and shot from wide angle.

Osasuna moved back up to fourth place with a late win against bottom club Espanyol. There is a saying in Spanish that if you are having bad luck and running a circus, even the dwarves will grow on you, and the fortunes of both sides was evident as the game progressed. Luis Fernández's side had the better chances but failed to convert, and early injuries to Marc Bertrán and Fredson left the team unbalanced. The visitors though are having one of their best seasons on record under manager Javier Aguirre, and they won the game with their first real shot at goal.

The first chance though did fall to the visitors, Valdo shrugging off Marc Bertrán's shirt pull to advance on goal but put his shot wide. And the Spanish under 21 international did try his luck later in the half with a clever lob over the keeper, but Lopo was there to shepherd it away.

The Navarrans were left with ten men though when Antonio López was sent off for a second bookable offence on the stroke of half time, and things finally seemed to be swinging in favour of the home side. The introduction of Velamazán gave the Catalans more width, and Tamudo could have done better when he steered a header straight at Sanzol from the winger's cross early in the second half.

With the visitors on the back foot it appeared a matter of time before the locals took the lead, and Sanzol had to be at his best to save at the feet of Jordi Cruyff. Four minutes from the end they almost won it when Domoraud headed against the bar from De la Peña's corner, but play went up the other end and substitute Webó rounded David García to hit the winner past Toni. It was a killer blow, and to make matters worse Lopo got himself sent off for the third time this season after elbowing an opponent right at the end. With Atlético, Barcelona and Deportivo to come next, Espanyol are not looking forward to a merry Christmas.