As the stakes increased, Espanyol and Real Valladolid entered the match in the relegation zone of La Liga, and a win was the most important outcome for both. The first few minutes were dominated by the home team, as Javi Puado put the team up at the interval by betting on a cross into the box. Javi Sanchez curled home a free kick to equalize the match after the visitors' reaction after the restart was controlled.

Roberto Fernandez neatly tucked in the winner from close range as the away team seized their opportunity when the action opened up in the closing minutes. The results were only one part of the whole picture; a win for Espanyol put them two points above the drop zone, while a loss kept Real Valladolid in the bottom three, four points from safety.