Almería: Esteban; Nelson, Pellerano,
Trujillo, Dubarbier (Raúl García 78'); Verza, Azeez; Suso (Helder
Barbosa 63'), Soriano (Tébar 83'), Aleix Vidal; Oscar Díaz.
4-2-3-1.
Espanyol: Kiko Casilla; Raúl
Rodríguez, Colotto, Héctor Moreno, Fuentes; Stuani, David
López, Torje (Lanzarote 56'); Córdoba (Thievy 75'), Sergio
García (Alex Fernández 83'). 4-4-2.
Goals: None.
Yellow cards: Moreno 43', Sergio García 80'.
Almería climbed out of the relegation zone above Rayo Vallecano after picking up a point in a 0-0 draw against Espanyol in Sunday's mid-day kick-off. The visitors had the better chances early on, Esteban getting enough on Córdoba's shot for it to bounce up on to the crossbar, and then saving from Sergio García. With twenty minutes gone though Torje gave away a penalty on Suso following a corner, and Verza stepped up to fire home the spot kick. However referee Del Cerro Grande ordered a retake for encroachment which the midfielder fired over the bar, and a few minutes later local coach Francisco got himself sent off for protesting after someone from the visiting dugout (probably Javier Aguirre) imitated the referee's whistle. Either side of half time Stuani and Lanzarote went close with a shot on the turn and a long free kick, but otherwise there were few chances, and both teams decided to settle for the draw.