Espanyol 2 - Betis 0

Espanyol: Gorka Iraizoz; Sergio Sánchez, Jarque, Lopo, David García; Zabaleta, Ito; Luis García (Corominas 67'), Fredson, De la Peña (Juanfran 84'); Tamudo (Pandiani 80'). 4-2-3-1.
Betis: Contreras; Melli (Capi 46'), Rivas, Juanito, Luis Fernández; Arzu (Marcos Assunçao 53'), Rivera; Varela, Edu (Doblas 58'), Joaquín; Robert. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Espanyol: Jarque, Lopo, Ito, Fredson for Pochettino, Edu Costa, Moisés Hurtado, Corominas / Betis: Luis Fernández, Rivera, Joaquín for Oscar López, Marcos Assunçao, Xisco.

Goals:
1-0. 22. Jarque. Slid ball past Contreras after Fredson headed across goal.
2-0. 59. Tamudo. Headed ball back past Doblas after keeper saved penalty.

Espanyol moved further away from the danger zone with a 2-0 win over Betis, who they are now level with on points. It was an emotive night, with the new cup holders being applauded on to the pitch by the previous winners before being presented with the trophy at the end of the game, and a 40,000 crowd turned up to cheer their side on. And they got off to a good start when Jarque latched on to Fredson's headed pass to slide the ball past Contreras and open the scoring.

Tamudo should have increased the lead from the penalty spot a few minutes later after Rivas fouled Fredson, but Contreras saved his kick. Curiously though a quarter of an hour in to the second half the locals won a second penalty after Contreras brought down Tamudo, getting himself sent off into the bargain. Doblas came on and immediately saved Tamudo's kick, but the team captain reacted quickly and headed the ball back in to the net.

Both sides struck the woodwork after that, Marcos Assunçao hitting the bar from a free kick and De la Peña replying with a shot against the foot of the post, but there was no further score. A good night for the Catalans though, and their cup win a few days ago may well have sparked their recovery.