MALLORCA TODAY - Real Mallorca 1 : 3 Getafe

A hugely important fixture for Mallorca, in 19th place and six points adrift of Zaragoza in the safety spot of 17th. Getafe the visitors, mid-table, neither threatened with relegation nor with much chance of a European place; might Mallorca therefore have more desire?

Getafe created the best chances in the opening exchanges, Colunga heading over and Castro shooting just wide, while Mallorca's Geromel was getting himself booked for obstruction before Victor drew a save from Getafe's keeper Moyá on 12 minutes. Hutton produced a stop from Moyá, just after Colunga had the clearest opportunity for Getafe, his shot hitting Nunes. An open game, and the first goal came when Dos Santos's fine individual effort put Mallorca into the lead, his shot following a run down the left wing. Dos Santos was then the provider as Victor saw a header go close, and the Mexican was giving Getafe all sorts of problems, Fernández receiving a yellow for fouling him. Hutton had another decent effort, and a shout for a penalty on Alfaro, turned down by referee Vitienes, brought the first period, a satisfying one for Mallorca, to a close.

Into the second half, and veteran Martí went close after five minutes with a shot following an assist from Dos Santos, Colunga going closer after quarter of an hour for Getafe. And then, with 20 minutes remaining, Nunes was adjudged, perhaps harshly, to have handled in the area, and Castro equalised with the resultant penalty. Alexis with a header hit the post five minutes later, as the game went end to end, Dos Santos having another effort stopped by Moyá and then Colunga, having been threatening, finally headed Getafe into the lead with nine minutes to go. And things just got worse for Mallorca, the defence sleeping to let Colunga make it three.

A bad loss for Mallorca, it is getting increasingly difficult to think they can avoid relegation and, depending on how Zaragoza fare later today at home to Valencia, they may slip a little further away from safety. Granada, who may ease their own relegation worries at Vigo tomorrow, away next Sunday for Mallorca.

Mallorca:
Aouate; Hutton, Nunes, Geromel (Conceiçao 45), Luna; Pina, Tissone, Martí; Alfaro (Nsue 82), Victor (Hemed 73), Dos Santos
Goal: Dos Santos (24)
Yellows: Geromel (6), Martí (61), Nunes (69)

Getafe:
Moyá; M. Torres, Fernández, Alexis, Escudero; X. Torres (Gavilán 55), Borja (Lacen 68); Léon (Michel 84), Barrada, Castro; Colunga
Goals: Castro (70, penalty), Colunga (82, 85)
Yellows: Fernández (33), X. Torres (43), Borja (48), Alexis (72)