Real Murcia 1 - Zaragoza 0

Real Murcia: Bonano; Juanma, Cuadrado, Hurtado, Clavero; Acciari, Jensen; Gancedo (Pedro Largo 81'), Richi, Luis García (Carreras 93'); Esnaider (David Karanka 62'). 4-2-3-1.
Zaragoza: Lainez; Rebosio (Ferrón 62'), Milito, Alvaro, David Pirri; Cuartero, Ponzio (Corona 64'); Galletti, Cani (Yordi 46'), Savio; David Villa. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Murcia: Jensen, Gancedo, Richi for Loeschbor, Michel, Fredi / Zaragoza: Galletti, Savio for Vellisca, Yordi.

Goals:
1-0. 35. Richi. Made space on edge of area and fired low shot past Lainez.

Two of the relegation candidates met on Sunday evening, with bottom side Real Murcia running out 1-0 winners over third to bottom Zaragoza to close the gap on them to four points. Bonano had to be attentive to keep out Cani's dangerous cross in the first minutes, but after that the visitors hardly approached the local goal all night. Esnaider went close a couple of times before Murcia got the goal they were looking for ten minutes before the break, Richi taking a pass from Gancedo and making himself space to strike a low shot past Lainez.

Zaragoza appeared tired after their cup victory over Barcelona, and only a weak header from Alvaro after the break gave Bonano any work. Gancedo could have made it two when he headed against the post, and Esnaider, Richi and Luis García also tried their luck, but their side had done enough to record their first victory in four months (and only their second of the season), and give new manager John Toshack his first win after only two games in charge. His opposite number Víctor Muñoz now has to rally his side in time for their midweek cup semi-final with Alavés.