The Tourism Benefits Of Football

The chairmen of Leicester City and Burnley football clubs will be very happy Thai and Lancastrian gentlemen. Thanks to the new television deal, they can look forward to their clubs receiving untold fortunes in the Premier League next season. Of relegated sides from the Premier, the comedy gold that is the Cardiff City boardroom risks turning to dross despite the parachute payments.

We are familiar enough with the financial imperatives of Premier League football to the teams which inhabit it. In Spain, though the finances are different (the rich - Real Madrid and Barcelona - get absurdly rich, while the others make do), there are similar imperatives. At Real Mallorca they are only too well aware of them, but while the club's woes have been well chronicled, the fall into the Segunda was and is only part of them. The fall could be very much further.

While the football focus is on club finances, what of the wider economy in towns and cities with football clubs? What are the economic profits and losses from tourism of a team being in the premier division or in the second?

I am unaware of there having been a study of the economic impact of Real Mallorca's relegation. If there is to be one, it will probably have to come from the Balearics Chamber of Commerce, which would be following the lead of Chambers of Commerce in other parts of Spain that have sought to put numbers on the impact of promotion if not relegation. And one of the more thorough studies has been that involving Real Zaragoza.

Promoted at the end of the 2008-2009 season, Zaragoza went down again, along with Mallorca, last season. In anticipating the 2009-2010 season, the local Chamber of Commerce examined the benefits of promotion by assessing those that had been derived from the season before relegation (2007-2008). It was a highly detailed examination, and one that threw up some revealing statistics. There was a calculation of the total number of fans (of other teams), of away team members and personnel, of media people and of referees and linesmen. The number of fans was 14,707, an average of 774 per match. Away support for Spanish football teams is considerably lower than in England, and by way of comparison, the average number of away fans for matches in the Championship (equivalent to the Segunda) in 2012-2013 was 1,323, almost double, therefore, the away support for a Zaragoza La Liga match.

The distance that has to be travelled is the principal reason for lower away support, but unlike in England, where an away fan would typically not stay overnight, in Zaragoza a half of the away fans did. It is the overnight stays of fans, teams, press and referees, their spend on hotels, restaurants and other services that are at the heart of the calculation of economic benefit. In total, it was reckoned to have amounted to over 20.5 million euros in the 2007-2008 season.

Another study, that for Murcia, which was promoted in 2007, shows that the general economic benefit was over ten million euros. One for Granada has revealed that the local economy benefits by 28 million euros from promotion.

A professor at the University of Oviedo, Plácido Rodríguez, has done a fair amount of research into the effects of clubs' relegation and promotion on their local economies, but he admits that it is difficult to calculate the effects of relegation. I'm not sure why. If studies can place numbers on the positive impact of promotion, surely the same methodologies can apply in the case of relegation. The professor says that there haven't been "exhaustive studies" into the effects of relegation, and this has led to rather misleading reports. The losses from relegation, e.g. in Zaragoza and Murcia, are reported as being the same as the gains from promotion, when they clearly can't be. Apart from anyone else, there are still the referees and the teams.

Quite obviously though, there is a loss because of relegation, and one indirect way is through the promotion of the town or city. The study into Zaragoza's promotion highlighted the fact that mere presence in the top division exposes the city to greater recognition nationally and internationally and that this leads to more general tourism. The study put a value of 5.5 million euros on this aspect alone.

Whether Real Mallorca's descent into the Segunda has a negative impact in this regard is impossible to say. Nonetheless, there is much to be said for premier league presence acting as a means of indirect tourism promotion. For example, of all those new Chinese tourists who are coming to Spain, a goodly number know all about Madrid and Barcelona because of football. It may only be football, but perhaps rather more attention should be being paid to Mallorca's parlous situation. Back in the top flight, and there is a nice little means of tourism promotion.

MALLORCA TODAY - Real Mallorca's relegation sparks off protests

Not unexpectedly, the confirmation of Mallorca's relegation from La Liga after sixteen seasons in the top flight sparked off protests directed primarily at sporting director and major shareholder Llorenç Serra Ferrer. Police became involved when stones started to be thrown.

See more: Diario de Mallorca

MALLORCA TODAY - Manzano returns to Real Mallorca

Following the sacking of Joaquín Caparrós, Real Mallorca have turned once more to Gregorio Manzano. His appointment means that he will have his third spell as Mallorca's coach. He was in charge during the 2002-2003 season when he took the team to victory in the Copa del Rey and then again from 2006 to 2010. His greatest achievement during this second spell was to get Mallorca up to fifth in La Liga and so to qualify for the Europa League, a qualification which was then denied to the club because of concerns that UEFA had regarding the club's finances. He left in 2010 amidst controversy and a falling-out with the board (and then owner of the club) over non-payment of his salary. His most recent coaching appointment was with Atlético Madrid (for the second time), where he lasted only six months, dismissed because the team was languishing in mid-table halfway through the 2011-2012 season. Manzano's return will probably be welcomed by most Mallorca supporters. He has brought some relative success in the past. For now, the most important task is to keep Mallorca in the top flight.

MALLORCA TODAY - Caparrós sacked as Real Mallorca coach

Not unexpectedly, Joaquín Caparrós, having presided over the dramatic slump in Real Mallorca's fortunes this season, has been sacked as the club's coach. Caparrós, who took over from Michael Laudrup in 2011, enjoyed a decent first season with the club and a fine start to the current season. Mallorca were at one point second in La Liga, but a run which has seen the team take only six points from a possible 54 has left Mallorca in nineteenth position and so in the relegation zone. The defeat yesterday against Real Sociedad was the final straw for the board. To what extent Caparrós has been hampered by the in-fighting on the board is questionable, but all is not right at Mallorca, as it hasn't been for several years. Who will now take over? One name that has been mentioned, by Monro Bryce in the "Majorca Daily Bulletin" is Lothar Matthäus. But his would be an appointment inspired by German shareholder Utz Claassen who is at loggerheads with the main shareholder Llorenç Serra Ferrer, so it is doubtful if Matthäus would get the job, which is probably as well for Mallorca as he doesn't have a great record as a coach.

MALLORCA TODAY - Barcelona 5 : 0 Real Mallorca

Not the game that might have been wished after having lost at home to the bottom club, Mallorca took themselves off to the Nou Camp. Not the start that might have been hoped either, Nsue handling in the area and Messi converting the penalty before a quarter of an hour was up and then adding a second eight minutes later. Eight minutes on, and guess who? Messi with his hat-trick goal, left-footed this time, just for a change. Second half, four minutes in and ... number four, the surprise being that it wasn't Messi but Cuenca. Barça basically relaxed then, but even so still managed a fifth in time added on, Dani Alves joining in the goal-scoring fun from full-back, he and Adriano having been main sources of supply to the Barça front line.

A not unexpected defeat for Mallorca. The question was always going to be how many goals they conceded. And here's a match stat for you: total passes by Mallorca, 388; total passes by Barcelona, 769. Enough said.

Barcelona:
Valdés; Alves, Mascherano, Abidal (Piqué 46), Adriano; Thiago, Busquets (Puyol 58), Keita; Cuenca, Messi, Villa (Deulofeu 63)
Goals: Messi (13 - penalty; 21; 29); Cuenca (49); Alves (90+)
Yellow: Alves (73)

Mallorca:
Aouate; Cendrós, Chico, Ramis (Martí Crespí 47), Bigas; Joao Victor, Martí (Victor 74), Tissone (Zuiverloon 47); Nsue, Alvaro, Castro
Yellows: Nsue (13); Bigas (90+)

A Real Mess At Real Mallorca

Oh, Real Mallorca, how you manage to really make yourself a real old laughing stock. This ridiculous club, subjected in the recent past to the indebtedness of the Drac Group and Vicente Grande, to the absurdly grandiose ambitions of the Walter Mitty-like Paul Davidson and to the brief and unhappy interregnum of the Marti Mingarro family and the club's entry into voluntary administration, was meant to have headed into calmer waters with a new ownership and a new team at its helm, its main face being that of vice-president, major shareholder, sporting director and indeed former coach, Llorenç Serra Ferrer.

That new team, which comprised Ferrer, Miguel Angel Nadal, Rafa's uncle and former Spanish centre-back, and Pedro Terrasa as director, didn't stay together long. Terrasa went off to the television station IB3, then he decided to go back to the club, which he did in July. It was then that the latest round of in-fighting started to get under way.

It has culminated in accusations that Terrasa has been conspiring to overthrow Ferrer and take over the club himself. This comes against a further backdrop of the club's possible sale to an unnamed Swiss group, willing it would appear to pump 30 million euros in, but which now seems to have disappeared, and of the resignation of Danish coach Michael Laudrup, whose right-hand man, Erik Larsen, had branded Ferrer a "bad man".

Laudrup had been handed something of a bum steer for the new La Liga season, star midfielder Jonathan De Guzmán being sold to Villarreal, a club with which there is bad blood over last season's Europa League qualification, and no obvious strikers being available once Pierre Webó had left. Terrasa went on record as describing Ferrer as inept in the handling of the transfer of Belgian forward Marvin Ogunjimi who will be a Mallorca player, but not until January, the transfer-window deadline having been bungled.

The club's board, ahead of a meeting to decide Terrasa's future, was split and became even more split just before the meeting when it was announced that the board's representation by the Nadal family, which owns ten per cent of the club, was to be withdrawn. Miguel Angel Nadal was close to Laudrup, who was once a team-mate at Barcelona. The Nadals have not confirmed as yet whether they will sell out.

One member of the board whose attitude towards Terrasa was unknown prior to the meeting was Utz Claassen, a German businessman, the third largest shareholder in Real Mallorca and the former president of German club Hannover 96. Claassen, who joined the board almost a year ago, came in with the sort of publicity that unfortunately reminded one of Davidson; foreign fans would soon be winging their way down to Palma to watch Real on the back of improving the club's brand name in key European tourism markets.

The extraordinary meeting of the board, in the end, resulted in Terrasa expressing his "sincere loyalty" to the club. Various apologies were offered and accepted, and so all is hunky-dory. For now.

The board does, though, also face an issue with regard to the club's old ground, the Lluis Sitjar stadium, which it, the board, reckons is going to be redevloped. Palma town hall and its mayor have been seeking guarantees regarding the 200 million euros of foreign money which is said to be going to be available for the redevelopment scheme. The town hall appears to be fast running out of patience and has insisted that the club makes sure that work is carried out on the abandoned stadium to prevent it from becoming a risk to the public.

In addition to not exactly endearing itself to the town hall, the club has managed to also make an ass of itself with talk of Luis Aragonés, the coach of Spain's World Cup-winning side, taking over from Laudrup. Unfortunately, Aragonés wanted two million a year for himself and his assistants, the sort of money that Mallorca most certainly doesn't have.

Despite all the shenanigans at the club, the team has - quite remarkably - managed to rise above them. It has performed well, even if it nearly managed to clutch relegation from the jaws of mid-table safety on the last day of last season. A return of seven points from six games, putting Mallorca tenth in La Liga at present, is reasonable, all things considered.

But the club, if not the team, stumble from one crisis to another. It would be astonishing if the team could manage to survive another season in La Liga, and it might all depend on Joaquín Caparrós, formerly at Seville, La Coruña and Bilbao, and now confirmed as the new coach. But don't put it past the team surviving. It has proved resilient, but no thanks to the club's board.


Any comments to andrew@thealcudiaguide.com please.

MALLORCA TODAY - Caparrós is new Real Mallorca coach

Joaquín Caparrós, formerly coach at clubs such as Sevilla, Atletic Bilbao and Deportivo La Coruña, has been named as the new coach of Real Mallorca following the resignation of Michael Laudrup.

MALLORCA TODAY - Laudrup quits as Real Mallorca coach

Michael Laudrup, Real Mallorca's Danish coach, has resigned. His departure, not unexpected, followed his right-hand man Erik Larsen's description of sporting director, Lorenzo Serra Ferrer, as a "bad person". The relationship between Laudrup and Serra Ferrer had deteriorated to the point at which it was untenable for Laudrup to continue. The Dane has said that "what Mallorca will be is what Serra Ferrer wants it to be", highlighting where the real power resides in the club: Serra Ferrer is a part shareholder and, as a former coach, may well take over the reins from Laudrup for the time being if not longer. Laudrup has previously been linked with the post of coach at German club Hamburg, where his former Danish team-mate, Frank Arnesen, is sporting director.

MALLORCA TODAY - Real Mallorca stay up

Astonishingly, Real Mallorca were very nearly relegated. Losing 4-3 at home to Atlético Madrid didn't help and nor did other results, except for Deportivo La Coruña (remember them from Champions League days) who also lost at home and were thus condemned to the drop.

The team have been poor and they just got worse towards the end of the season, with some terrible results, such as the loss at bottom club Almeria. Coach Michael Laudrup may stay, but there are plenty of rumours suggesting he won't, and in truth, why would he? The club's got no money and it's not going anywhere.

Real Mallorca:
Aouate; Cendrós (sub. Joao Victor, 46 min.), Nunes, Ramis, Ayoze; Nsue (sub. Victor, 71 min.), Martí, De Guzmán, Tejera (sub. Castro, 53 min.), Pereira; Webó
Goals: Nsue (62 min., penalty); Webó (70 min., 90 min.)


Atlético Madrid:
De Gea; Valera, Ujfalusi, Pulido, Filipe Luis (sub. Raúl García, sub. 82 min.); Juanfran, Mario Suárez (sub. Assuncao, 67 min.), Thiago, Koke; Reyes, Agüero (sub. Elías, 84 min.)
Goals: Agüero (12 min., 59 min., 80 min.); Juanfran (17 min.)

MALLORCA TODAY - Almeria 3 : 1 Real Mallorca

Even by Mallorca's rotten standards away from home, the first half away at bottom club and already relegated Almeria was a shocker, Mallorca going three down after half an hour and being completely outplayed. Mallorca came back into it after Piatti's goal and Webó pegged one back three minutes before the break. The second half was better by Mallorca; efforts on goal, though, came to nothing. Results would have to all go the wrong way for Mallorca, who play Atletico Madrid in the final game of the season next weekend, but extraordinarily, and despite having 44 points, Mallorca could still be relegated. Highly unlikely though.

Almeria:
Esteban; Macedo (sub. José Ortiz, 46 min.), Silva, Garcia, Pellerano, Luna; Juanma Ortiz, Juanito, Corona, Piatti (yellow, 62 min.; sub. Crusat, 68 min.); Uche (sub. Ulloa, 89 min.)
Goals: Uche, 5 min.; Juanma Ortiz, 14 min.; Piatti, 31 min.

Real Mallorca:
Aouate; Cendrós (sub. Pina, 74 min.), Nunes (yellow, Nunes, 90 min.), Ramis, Ayoze; Joao Victor, Martí (sub. Crespi, 85 min.); Nsue, Victor, Pereira; Webó (sub. Aki, 74 min.)
Goal: Webó, 42 min.

MALLORCA TODAY - Real Mallorca 0 : 0 Villarreal

A midday kick-off for the grudge match between Mallorca and Villarreal (all to do with Mallorca having been denied entry into European competition this season) saw a pretty even first half. Mallorca had the better of the second half in terms of attempts on goal, but the game ended up scoreless, thus more or less ensuring Villarreal the fourth Champions League spot. For Mallorca, relegation is still a possibility, but is most unlikely. There are three rounds of matches left this season, and Mallorca are five points and seven places above Osasuna, who play this evening, in 18th spot.

Real Mallorca:
Lux; Cendrós, Nunes, Ramis, Ayoze; Martí (yellow card, 62 min.), Joao Victor (sub. Pina, 71 min.); Pereira (sub. Aki, 60 min.), De Guzmán, Nsue (sub. Castro, 85 min.); Webó

Villarreal:
López; Mario, Musacchio, Marchena, Catalá; Borja Valero, Senna (sub. Wakaso, 53 min.; yellow card, 90 min.), Cazorla (sub. Cani, 65 min.), Bruno; Nilmar, Rossi (sub. Kiko, 76 min.)

MALLORCA TODAY - Racing Santander 2 : 0 Real Mallorca

Mallorca's season having drifted into mid-table inconsequence, the visit to relegation-threatened Santander was not particularly appetising. The game soon took on a less-appetising taste for the visitors, the Swedish international Rosenberg opening the scoring after 13 minutes, thanks to a pass from the former Spurs player, dos Santos. Things got worse when Ramis missed a penalty eight minutes later and then, just before the break, when Kennedy added a second from a direct free kick. Ramis looked to make amends in the second half with two headers saved by Toño, and these were the closest Mallorca got to threatening Santander's lead. The defeat does perhaps raise the tension for Mallorca who are not safe from relegation, but they should have sufficient points as it is.

Racing Santander:
Toño; Pinillos, Henrique, Alvaro (sub. Osmar, 82 min.), Cisma; Lacen (yellow, 90 min.), Colsa; Kennedy (yellow, 64 min.; sub. Luque, 67 min.), Giovani dos Santos (yellow, 90 min.), Munitis (sub. Christian, 78 min.); Rosenberg (yellow, 89 min.)
Goals: Rosenberg, 13 min.; Kennedy, 42 min.

Real Mallorca:
Aouate (sub. Lux, 46 min.); Joao Victor (yellow, 64 min.), Nunes, Ramis, Ayoze; De Guzmán, Marti; Nsue, Aki (sub. Victor, 46 min.), Castro (sub. Pereira, 60 min.); Webó

MALLORCA TODAY - Real Mallorca 2 : 0 Getafe

Following the dismal performance away in Malaga last weekend, Mallorca were more positive in the opening exchanges against the Madrid side, Nunes deservedly giving them the lead with a header from a corner in the 25th minute. Into the second half Getafe started to come into the game more, but Mallorca remained largely in control, adding a second through the Japanese substitute Aki after 67 minutes. Getafe piled on some pressure, but were unable to make inroads, with Aouate resolute in goal. The win for Mallorca dispels any possibility of relegation; the team now has 42 points with five games remaining. Europe is probably out of reach, though.

Real Mallorca:
Aouate; Joao Victor, Nunes, Ramis, Ayoze; Tejera (yellow, 43 min.; sub. Aki, 60 min.), Martí (yellow, 81 min.); Nsue, De Guzmán, Castro (sub. Victor, 70 min.); Webó (sub. Cendrós, 90 min.)
Goals: Nunes, 25 min.; Aki, 67 min.

Getafe:
Ustari; Torres, Diaz (yellow, 18 min.), Marcano (yellow, 63 min.), Mané; Victor Sánchez (sub. Sardinero, 46 min.), Boateng, Parejo (yellow, 61 min.), Casquero (sub. Arizmendi, 68 min.); Colunga (sub. Rios, 46 min.), Miku

Attendance: 14,668

MALLORCA TODAY - Malaga 3 : 0 Real Mallorca

A generally even first half changed dramatically towards the half hour when the bottom-three club took the lead through a left-foot shot from Fernández and then added a second from Baptista on 40 minutes. The second half started with Malaga all over Mallorca, Baptista scoring his second with a header after eleven minutes. Things didn't get better for a toothless Mallorca, and Malaga ran out easy winners. The result gives Qatari-owned Malaga hope of staying up, they move out of the bottom three for the time being, but for Mallorca, chances of Europe are fading; they are six points behind Athletic Bilbao in sixth spot.


Malaga:
Caballero; Gámez, DeMichelis, Weligton, Mtiliga; Recio, Apoño (sub. Juanmi, 85 min.), Duda, Julio Baptista (yellow, 33 min.; sub. Camacho, 63 min.); Fernández (yellow, 65 min.; sub. Maresca, 76 min.), Rondón
Goals: Fernández, 26 min.; Julio Baptista, 40 min., 56 min.

Real Mallorca:
Aouate; Cendrós (yellow, 44 min.; sub. Aki, 45 min.), Nunes, Ramis, Ayoze (yellow, 12 min.); Joao Victor, Marti (yellow, 78 min.); Nsue, Tejera, Castro; Webó (sub. Victor, 70 min.)

MALLORCA TODAY - Real Mallorca 2 : 2 Sevilla

The visit of top-six side Sevilla had particular significance because of Sevilla's coach Gregorio Manzano having been in charge at Mallorca to the end of last season. The first half saw Mallorca generally on top, the Japanese player Aki giving the home side the lead with a header on fifteen minutes. On the half hour, though, and against the run of play, a foul in the area by Ramis with a trip on Negredo led to the Sevilla striker converting the penalty. Canadian-born De Guzmán restored Mallorca's lead three minutes before the break. Sevilla came more into the game after the break and were rewarded with an equaliser through Rakitic midway through the half. The game became increasingly tetchy, with a spate of yellow cards being shown, but Sevilla continued to dominate, out-passing Mallorca though were unable to secure a winner. The draw for Mallorca does little for the team's hopes of a Europa League spot for next season.


Real Mallorca:
Aouate; Cendrós, Nunes (yellow, 76 min.), Ramis, Ayoze; Martí, Tejera (sub. Joao Victor, 69 min.); Aki (sub. Victor, 88 min.), De Guzmán (yellow, 35 min.), Castro (yellow, 8 min.; sub. Pina, 83 min.); Nsue
Goals: Aki, 15 min.; De Guzmán, 42 min.

Sevilla:
Varas; Cáceres, Fazio (yellow, 77 min.), Escudé, Navarro (yellow, 79 min.); Medel (yellow, 36 min.), Romaric (sub. Rodri, 37 min.); Perotti, Rakitic, Capel (sub. Alfaro, 78 min.); Negredo
Goals: Negredo, 30 min. (penalty); Rakitic, 68 min.

MALLORCA TODAY - Deportivo La Coruña 2 : 1 Real Mallorca

Away against Deportivo, Mallorca edged the first half, scoring through Webó with a header in the 26th minute. The second half saw Deportivo revitalised and taking control of the game, Xisco equalising and then Lassad putting the Galician side in front midway through the half. Deportivo's control caused frustration for Mallorca, striker Webó being sent off just before the end of the game. The defeat is a blow to Mallorca's ambitions for gaining a Europa League spot.


Deportivo:
Aranzubia (yellow, 44 min.); Laure, Lopo, Colotto, Manuel Pablo; Rúben Pérez, Juan Rodriguez; Álvarez (sub. Valerón, 46 min.), Lassad (yellow, 62 min.; sub. Adrián, 79 min.), Guardado (yellow, 45 min.); Xisco (sub. Riki, 65 min.)
Goals: Xisco (54 min.), Lassad (67 min.)

Real Mallorca:
Aouate; Cendrós, Nunes, Ramis (sub. Rubén, 72 min.), Kevin; Joao Victor, Martí; Nsue, Tejera (sub. Castro, 66 min.), Pereira (yellow, 74 min.; sub. Victor, 77 min.); Webó (red. 90 min.)
Goal: Webó (26 min.)

MALLORCA TODAY - Real Mallorca 1 : 0 Zaragoza

The early match in today's three matches in La Liga has seen an even game end in a win for Mallorca thanks to a De Guzmán goal, 20 minutes into the second half, with a shot from a direct free kick, following the sending-off of Zaragoza's goalkeeper Doblas for deliberate handball outside the box. The win keeps Mallorca in ninth place in La Liga.

Real Mallorca:
Aouate; Cendrós, Nunes, Ramis, Kevin; Tejera (yellow, 85 min.; sub. Pereira, 89 min.), Marti (yellow, 20 min.; sub. Victor, 76 min.); Nsue, De Guzmán (yellow, 35 min.), Castro (sub. Aki, 60 min.); Webó.
Goal: De Guzmán, 66 min.

Zaragoza:
Doblas (red, 65 min.); Diogo, Jarosik (yellow, 61 min.), Da Silva, Obradovic; Ponzio, Gabi; López (sub. Pérez, 74 min.), Ander (yellow, 4 min.), Bertolo (sub. Franco, 65 min.); Uche (sub. Braulio, 63 min.)

MALLORCA TODAY - Levante 1 : 1 Real Mallorca

A mid-table clash for Mallorca this afternoon with the Valencian side Levante has finished all square, centre back Ramis scoring for the second game in succession in equalising Juaniu's first-half strike for Levante.

Levante:
Munúa; Venta, Ballesteros (yellow, 65 min.), Nano (yellow, 70 min.), Del Horno (sub. Juanfran, 75 min.); Torres, Iborra; Valdo (yellow, 59 min.; sub. Suárez, 70 min.), Muñoz (sub. Montero, 60 min.), Juaniu (yellow, 75 min.); Caicedo.
Goal: Juaniu, 38 min.

Real Mallorca:
Aouate; Cendrós, Nunes, Ramis, Ayoze (yellow, 73 min.); Tejera (sub. Victor, 74 min.), Marti; Nsue, De Guzmán, Aki (yellow, 22 min.; sub. Pereira, 53 min.); Webó.
Goal: Ramis, 59 min.

MALLORCA TODAY - Real Mallorca 1 : 2 Valencia

Two goals from Pablo Hernández have condemned Real Mallorca to another home defeat. Mallorca took the lead through a penalty by Ramis, following a foul on Webó, but Pablo equalised two minutes later and then sealed the game in the second half with a left-foot finish. Valencia stay third in La Liga. Mallorca are, for the time being, still tenth, but tomorrow's fixtures may well change this.

Real Mallorca: Aouate; Cendrós, Ramis (yellow card, 74 min.), Nunes, Kevin; De Guzmán (sub. Joao Victor, 84 min.), Martí (sub. Tejera, 81 min.); Pereira (sub. Aki, 65 min.), Nsue, Castro; Webó (yellow card, 72 min.)
Goal: Ramis, 30 min.

Valencia: Guaita; Bruno, Ricardo Costa, David Navarro, Alba; Pablo, Topal, Mata (sub. Vicente, 80 min.), Banega (sub. Albelda, 87 min.); Jonás (sub. Joaquín, 70 min.), Aduriz
Goals: Pablo, 32 min.; 56 min.

MALLORCA TODAY - Real shock Espanyol

Real Mallorca this evening won away at Espanyol with a winner coming from Nsue in the eighty-second minute. Espanyol, fifth in La Liga, lost for the fourth time at home, despite having dominated the first half and leading 1-0 at half-time. It should, though, have been one apiece at the break, Castro having missed a penalty in the fifth minute. Webó it was who brought the scores level on 63 minutes. Real Mallorca move up to tenth, level on points with Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad, but having played one game more and with an inferior goal difference.

Espanyol
Kameni; Chica, Amat, Galán, Javi López; Verdú (Dátolo, sub 76), Duscher (Rui Fonte, sub 87); Luis García (Manu Molina, sub 65), Sergio García, Callejón, Álvaro.
Goal: Álvaro, 18 min.

Real Mallorca
Aouate; Cendrós, Nunes, Ramis, Ayoze; Nsue, J.Víctor, Tejera (Pina, sub 83), Pereira; Castro (Aki, sub 80), Webó (Rubén, sub 90).
Goals: Webó, 63 min.; Nsue, 82 min.