Mallorca 2 - 3 Villarreal
Deportivo La Coruña 1 - 1 Barcelona
Atlético Madrid 3 - 0 Almería
Valencia 2 - 0 Athletic Bilbao
Numancia 0 - 2 Sevilla
Espanyol 3 - 0 Málaga
Osasuna 2 - 1 Real Madrid
Racing Santander 1 - 1 Getafe
Sporting Gijón 2 - 1 Recreativo Huelva
Real Betis 1 - 1 Real Valladolid
The worst nightmares of half of Seville came true on Sunday evening as they were relegated from La Liga, completing a fall from grace for this once mighty club that was only four seasons ago in the Champions League. Their head-to-head record with Getafe was identical, so it was with the slenderest of goal difference margins that saw the verdiblancos go down after their home draw with Valladolid. Marcos Aguirre opened the scoring for Valladolid but all the Seville-based club could muster in reply was an equaliser from Ricardo Oliveira and there will surely be repurcussions for the Beticos considering their precarious financial situation even before being relegated. The likes of Oliveira, Achile Emana, David Odonkor, Sergio Garcia and Juanito are certain to leave.
Betis found themselves in this situation despite starting the weekend two places above the drop zone. Osasuna stayed up despite going behind at home to Real Madrid to Gonzalo Higuain's 22nd of the season. A mistake by Iker Casillas allowed Jarolav Plasil to level, but there was nothing fortuitous about the home side's winner, a spectacular volley from Juanfran to send the Pamplona crowd into raptures. Jose Antonio Camacho has completed a remarkable rescue job after taking the job early in the season when Osasuna looked in a terrible state.
Even more remarkable is the survival of Sporting Gijon, who have managed to grab another season in the top flight despite losing 23 league games. They survived after being already relegated Recreativo, who went ahead through Ersen Martin but goals from David Barral and Luis Moran turned the match around and completed an unlikely turnaround for the Asturian side.
Numancia's relegation had also been confirmed and they ended the season in somewhat fitting fashion, being beaten by a Sevilla side that was filled with reserves. They left it late, though, through substitute Emiliano Armenteros and an own goal a minute later from Juan Carlos Moreno. Sevilla's third place had long been confirmed and it is one thoroughly deserved.
Barcelona followed up their memorable victory in Rome with a draw at Deportivo, who went ahead through Rodolfo Bodipo before Samuel Eto'o equalised. Real Madrid's loss means they finish the season 9 points ahead of their nearest rivals. Atletico Madrid secured fourth spot after beating Almeria through goals from Kun Aguero, Raul Garcia and Diego Forlan's 32nd of the season, meaning he has been crowned Pichichi after a fantastic season. Villarreal miss out on the top four despite beating in-form Mallorca in a thriller on Saturday evening. The Yellow Submarine took the lead on the half-hour mark through Ruben Cani but were pegged back six minutes later by Aritz Aduriz. Joseba Llorente scored a double either side of half-time to seal the points, though Pierre Webo grabbed a late consolation.
David Villa scored twice in what is in all likelyhood his last game for Valencia against Athletic Bilbao while Espanyol signed off their final game at the Montjuic in style with a 3-0 victory over Malaga. It seemed rather fitting that 'Mr Espanyol' Raul Tamudo should be the star, scoring as he did three well taken goals. After the game Antonio Tapia resigned as Malaga coach and he is sure to be a managerial hot property this summer after the sterling work he has done in Andalucia.
Season review and team of the season to follow.
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