Villarreal moved a step closer to survival with a 3-2 win over fellow strugglers Sporting Gijon.
Villarreal and Granada close on survival; Getafe's Euro hopes hit
Villarreal moved a step closer to survival with a 3-2 win over fellow strugglers
Sporting Gijon.
Mario gave Villarreal the lead on 19 minutes when he converted Bruno Soriano's cross, but Alberto Lora drew Gijon level six minutes before the break with a long-range effort.
Villarreal restored their lead two minutes before the half-time when Marcos Senna converted from the penalty spot after Marco Ruben was upended in the box.
Hernan Perez fired Villarreal 3-1 in front on 56 minutes to put the visitors in control, but Alejandro Galvez set up a dramatic finale with a goal back five minutes from time.
Tempers frayed in the closing stages as Gijon coach Javier Clemente was sent to the stands and Villarreal substiute goalkeeper Cesar was also sent off after reacting angrily to objects being thrown down on the pitch by the home fans.
Gijon's fate will be confirmed if Rayo Vallecano avoid defeat to Real Mallorca later this week.
Survival
Granada also moved within touching distance of survival with a hard-fought 2-1 win over
Espanyol thanks to two goals from Odion Ighalo.
The Nigerian produced a great turn and finish to slot home Franco Jara's cross just before the half-hour and Ighalo was on hand again six minutes later to head home a much easier finish from David Cortes' cross.
Espanyol reduced the arrears on 54 minutes when Didac Vila's drive from 30 yards flew in off a post, but Granada held on for the three points.
Getafe's hopes of European football next season appear all but over after they were held to a 1-1 draw by already-relegated
Racing Santander.
After coach Luis Garcia told his players they needed to win all their remaining games to have a hope of salvaging their European dreams after a run of three defeats in four, his side fell at the first hurdle against a Racing side who managed to take a point despite missing a first-half penalty.
Papakouli Diop squandered that chance in the 26th minute, but did find the net to level the match five minutes after Nicolas Fedor had put Getafe ahead from the penalty spot just before the hour mark.
