Betis: Antonio Adán; Juanfran, Amaya, N’Diaye, Jordi Figueras, Juan Carlos; Chuli (Leo Baptistao 58’), Lolo Reyes, Verdú, Salva Sevilla (Nosa 76’, Matilla 84’); Rubén Castro. 5-4-1.
Espanyol: Kiko Casilla; Raúl Rodríguez, Colotto, Héctor Moreno, Víctor Alvarez (Fuentes 69’); Javi López, Víctor Sánchez, David López (Abraham 66’), Simao; Córdoba (Stuani 60’), Sergio García. 4-4-2.
Goals:
1-0. 71. Rubén Castro. Fired rebound back in to net after Reyes shot hit post.
2-0. 88. Rubén Castro. Picked up ball in midfield and ran on to beat Casilla.
Yellow cards: Salva Sevilla 49’, Lolo Reyes 53’, Víctor Sánchez 67’, Jordi Figueras 73’.
Bottom club Betis clocked up only their third league win of the season after beating Espanyol 2-0 on Sunday afternoon. The Andalusians had not taken the three points in the league since September, but they had the better chances in the first half, with Salva Sevilla and Rubén Castro both going close. With new manager Gabriel Calderón on the bench (their third coach of the season), the locals kept up the pressure after the restart, and they got their reward with twenty minutes to go when Rubén Castro steered a shot past Kiko Casilla after a shot by Reyes came back off the post. Antonio Adán was playing in goal for the first time since signing from Cagliari in the winter transfer window, but he was not called upon until ten minutes from the end, when he hat to save a dangerous shot from Stuani. However a few minutes later Rubén Castro cut in from the left wing past Abraham to squeeze a shot inside the near post, a relief at last for the long suffering home fans.