Poli Ejido Devastate Espanyol's Copa Del Rey Hopes

Segunda B outfit Poli Ejido have struck yet another blow to the hopes and ambitions of top-tier clubs in Spain's Copa Del Rey as Espanyol fell to a 3-2 defeat in the first leg. Villarreal fell victim to Poli Ejido's exploits in the first round and goals from Jorge Molina, Julio and Chico ensured that logic was to defy the odds once again as the third-tier Spanish club enter the return leg in Barcelona next week with a crucial advantage.

The only other non-Primera Liga team remaining at this stage of the competition was Real Union but they were defeated at home to Real Betis. Defending holders Valencia pulled off a 1-1 draw at Racing Santander and Omar Bravo’s late strike rescued Deportivo La Coruna's dreams of progressing to the next hurdle after Luis Fabiano and Frederic Kanoute had stretched Sevilla's lead to two.


Copa Del Rey Fifth Round, First Leg Results
Poli Ejido 3-2 Espanyol
Racing Santander 1-1 Valencia
Sporting Gijon 3-1 Real Valladolid
Real Union 0-1 Real Betis
Sevilla 2-1 Deportivo La Coruna
Atletico Madrid 1-3 Barcelona