Villarreal 2 - Mallorca 1

Villarreal: Reina; Javi Venta, Gonzalo Rodríguez, Peña, Arruabarrena; Cazorla, Marcos Senna, Riquelme, Sorín (Josico 55'); José Marí (Figueroa 55'), Diego Forlán (César Arzo 88'). 4-4-2.
Mallorca: Moya; Ballesteros, Iuliano (David Cortés 32'), Ramís, Poli; Campano (Jorge López 70'), De los Santos, Farinós, Arango; Luis García, Romeo (Okubo 78'). 4-4-2.

Team changes: Villarreal: Arruabarrena, Cazorla, Marcos Senna, José Marí for Armando Sá, Héctor Font, Josico, Guayre / Mallorca: Farinós for Tuni.

Goals:
0-1. 16. Javi Venta (own goal). Turned Luis García cross past own keeper.
1-1. 62. Figueroa. Collected pass from Forlán and struck shot wide of Moyà.
1-2. 83. Forlán. Got on end of Cazorla cross to turn ball in from close to goal.

Villarreal leapfrogged up to third place in the table, the highest they have ever been at this stage in the competition, after coming from behind to beat Mallorca 2-1. It was the third home game in a row that they started off trailing, Héctor Cúper's side taking the lead on the quarter hour mark when Javi Venta turned Luis García's cross past his own keeper. The goal gave the visitors confidence, and Arango and Luis García could have increased the lead a few minutes later. And it was not until late in the first half that the locals had their first attempts at goal, Forlán shooting wide and Riquelme putting a free kick over the bar.

Ten minutes in to the second half Pellegrini decided that things were going nowhere and made a double change, bringing on Josico and Figueroa.It proved a good decision as soon afterwards Figuero collected a pass from Forlán to equalise with his first league goal for his new club. And with seven minutes to go Diego Forlán got on the end of Cazorla's cross to turn the ball in from close range and give his side the victory. Riquelme shot wide and Arruabarrena had an effort saved by Moyà as the home side looked to increase their lead, but they had already done enough to win. It was a bad result for the Balearic Islanders, who are now seven points away from safety.