Deportivo La Coruña 0 - Villarreal 2

Deportivo: Molina; Manuel Pablo, Andrade, Juanma, Capdevila; De Guzman (Rubén Castro 67'), Duscher; Scaloni (Sergio 46'), Valerón, Munitis; Diego Tristán (Taborda 59'). 4-2-3-1.
Villarreal: Viera; Javi Venta, Gonzalo Rodríguez, Peña, Arruabarrena; Josico, Marcos Senna; Riquelme, José Marí (Tacchinardi 79'), Sorín; Figueroa (Xisco Nadal 90'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Depor: Manuel Pablo, Duscher for Héctor, Sergio / Villarreal: Viera, Javi Venta, Riquelme, Sorín for Barbosa, Kromkamp, Cazorla, Roger.

Goals:
0-1. 56. Riquelme. Curled free kick over defensive wall and in to net.
0-2. 78. Sorín. Following up after Molina blocked shot from Figueroa.

Villarreal moved up to third place in the table after beating Deportivo 0-2. Pellegrini's side have been touted as the next "Depor", a small town team who have made good, and they strengthened their claim with two goals in the second half against the Galicians.

The game got off to a lively start, with both sides playing attractive football. Munitis tested Viera with a free kick, Molina saved from Riquelme in reply, and José Marí headed against the crossbar, all within the first five minutes or so. Riquelme almost caught out the local keeper directly from a corner, and Sorín headed a good chance wide, but Munitis was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty on the stroke of half time.

The visitors took the lead though ten minutes in to the second half when Riquelme bent a free kick over the wall and past Molina, and after that there was no way back for the locals. José Marí could have got a second before Sorín did make it two, following up after the keeper could only block a shot from a wide angle by Figueroa. The win extended Villarreal's unbeaten run to 13 games, and they are now looking forward to the visit of leaders Barcelona next week.