A big weekend in the Segunda, with the leading candidates for promotion mostly playing relegation-threatened clubs.
Elche continued their coast toward the finish line with a tepid 0-0 draw at Racing Santander, and are still 12 points clear at the top. About the only item of note here was USMNT international Carlos Bocanegra's appearance as a starter for Racing, his first in a couple of months. He received a yellow card just before halftime, but played the entire match.
Real Murcia and Alcorcon shared the spoils in a rather more exciting match at the Nueva Condomina. Saúl gave the Paprika Men an early lead, but Julián Cérda (Juli) equalized fifteen minutes later. He had a chance to win the match with a late penalty, but failed, so Alcorcon's grip on second is a bit tenuous these days, especially after Almeria's win over Huesca. Charles didn't score in this one, but Aleix Vidal and Christian Fernandez did, and although Dani Pacheco, Huesca's loanee from Liverpool, pulled one back, Javi Gracia's men held on for a valuable road win.
So too did Villarreal, who scored five goals in a competitive match in Spain for the first time since November 2009. Cani was on the scoresheet then, and he scored on Sunday, as did Gerard Moreno (well, maybe it was an own goal off the Mirandes defender, but he'll claim it), Jeremy Perbet (twice) and Jony Pereira. Perbet could have had a couple of more, too. The home team took an early lead but after that it was all Villarreal, as you can see on these highlights.
Numancia continued their run of excellent form with a 2-1 victory over Girona. Txomin Nagore slotted home in the second minute to give the home side a lead, but Girona stormed back early in the second half to equalize through Jose on 49 minutes, and five minutes later Jaio picked up his second yellow and Numancia were shorthanded. Surely now the Catalans would take the lead and go on to win? Well, no, as Francisco Regalón, who had come on to bolster Numancia's defense following the dismissal, scored and the boys from Soria held on for a 2-1 win.
Other results:
Sporting 1-0 RM Castilla
Lugo 4-0 Xerez
Córdoba 3-0 Sabadell
Recre 2-0 Barcelona B
Herculés 1-1 Ponferradina