Betis: Guillermo Sara; Chica (Salva Sevilla
72'), Paulao, Jordi Figueras, Didac; Vadillo (Juanfran 48'), Lolo Reyes (Nono
72'), Matilla, Juan Carlos; Rubén Castro, Jorge Molina. 4-4-2.
Almería: Esteban; Nelson (Rafita 57'), Trujillo,
Torsiglieri, Dubarbier; Azeez, Tébar; Aleix Vidal, Verza, Helder Barbosa
(Soriano 65'); Oscar Díaz (Suso 84'). 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
0-1. 04. Azeez. Struck long shot which hit Paulao and
deflected past keeper.
Yellow cards: Helder Barbosa 25', Nelson 56'.
Betis go in to the short festive break at the bottom of the table after they lost 0-1 to Almería on Saturday evening. Azeez got what was to prove the only goal of the game in the fifth minute, his long shot taking a deflection off Paulao to wrong-foot Guillermo Sara, and the Nigerian midfielder would have repeated the act later in the first half had the local keeper not reacted quicker this time around. For the rest of the first half though the locals were in command, Rubén Castro heading wide, Esteban tipping a long shot from Vadillo over the bar, and Juan Carlos firing another shot against the crossbar. After the break it was more of the same, Esteban making first class saves from Castro, Molina and in particular from a long Matilla free kick. However with the crowd increasingly on their backs, the players gradually ran out of steam, and Oscar Díaz should have wrapped things up when he shot wide with the goal at his mercy after Aleix Vidal set him up on a quick breakaway. A vital win for Almería, and they climb out of the relegation spots pending Sunday’s games, now six points above Juan Carlos Garrido’s side in the table.