Racing Santander 1-2 Getafe: Comeback victory gives Getafe breathing space

1-0 Stuani 13'
1-1 Gavilán 25'
1-2 Miku 83'

Despite early stumbles, Getafe fight back to secure a deserved victory...
... Mistakes from both sides prevented further goals ...

Getafe showed character to fight back for victory from a goal down at Racing Santander, but coach Luis García will be all too aware that on another day the visitors' profligacy may have been punished.

Nonetheless the Azulones did recover from a poor start to secure a vital three points, giving them respite from a tight relegation race and also ensuring that Geta have taken an impressive 11 points from the last 15.

Racing took a deserved lead in the 13th minute when Rafa inexplicably played a fast pass across his own goalmouth, where former Geta man Adrián González was waiting to play it to Christian Stuani for an easy finish. Rafa was withdrawn through injury shortly afterwards in what will surely rank as the stopper's worst day of his career.

Five minutes later Getafe should have levelled. Abdel Barrada sprung a world-class through ball to Dani Güiza, but when faced one-on-one with Toño Rodríguez he ran the ball straight into the 'keeper's arms.

The visitors were back on level terms midway through the half. Barrada launched a fine cross from the right, and with the Racing defence bunched in the middle of the six-yard box, the ball fell to Jaime Gavilán unmarked at the far post to gently lift home his first goal of the season.

On the half hour mark Getafe had another great chance through Güiza: the veteran forward got a fine touch on it this time but Toño - having an excellent game - was equal to the task. Exemplifying an equal half, Stuani then missed a sitter at the other end.

Six minutes into the second half some great close interplay in the box presented Gavilán and then Güiza with excellent chances from close range, but Toño once again proved the saviour for an uncoordinated Racing defence.

Although Getafe were having the best of the play, Cata Díaz sprung them from jail on the hour mark when Álvaro seemed set to steer goalwards unmarked after a corner.

Still, the visitors were clearly the better side in the second half, a combination of great work from Toño and a lack of composure in the box from Getafe keeping the score at 1-1.

Dani Güiza was the biggest culprit in terms of chances missed, and Geta almost paid the price twelve minutes from time when Lautaro Acosta was put through on goal, only for Moyà to pull off a vital save.

Finally the pressure paid off eight minutes from time as Getafe, taking advantage of Racing's wide line, hit on the break. Diego Castro clipped the ball into the middle, Marc Torrejón made a hash of his interception, and all that was left was for Miku to control and then shoot from twelve yards to give his side the lead.

Getafe switched off after taking the lead and nearly paid for it several times in the closing minutes, but ultimately held on for a merited win.

Next for the Madrid outfit is a trip to Valencia to meet Levante, who despite a recent dip in form remain in the top four.

Racing: Toño; Álvaro, Torrejón, Bernardo, Cisma; Papa Diop, Colsa (Tziolis 46); Arana (Kennedy 65), Adrián, Acosta; Stuani (Jairo 52). Getafe: Moyà; Valera, Cata Díaz, Rafa (Lopo 16), Barrada (Diego Castro 79), Míchel, Casquero, Gavilán (Pedro León 61'); Dani Güiza, Miku.

Sporting Gijón 2-1 Getafe: Late heartbreaker keeps Geta in trouble

0-1 Miku 34'
1-1 Trejo 45+5'
2-1 Novo 89'

Ten-man visitors can't hold their nerve in exciting clash...
... A match full of cards saw referee Turienzo Álvarez take centre stage...

Despite taking an early lead at the tough arena that is the Molinón, Getafe once again left an away match empty-handed after suffering late goals at the end of each half in a 2-1 defeat.

An eventful match had referee Turienzo Álvarez dish out no fewer than ten yellow cards. Eight of these to the visitors, including two to Abdel Barrada.

However, the whistler also missed a stonewall penalty for Sporting just before the half-time break, mitigating somewhat his fastidiousness elsewhere.

With Geta having a strong top-flight record against the Asturian outfit both sides sought to attack from the outset, with Sporting using the flanks well as Geta pushed their full-backs forward.

The first side to draw blood was Getafe, though, with Miku's skills in the box justifying his selection ahead of Dani Güiza as he fired home from 15 yards and a narrow angle.

The visitors then tried their best to hold on until half time and, despite a game-ending injury for Miguel Torres, seemed to have done so when Álvarez inexplicably missed a clear handball in the box from Cata Díaz.

But Sporting enjoyed a karmic boost as they equalised right at the end of stoppage time, Óscar Trejo burying it from the edge of the area when Miguel Moyà was caught off his line after a corner.

The second half once again saw much attacking from both team, with neither happy with the idea of a draw. Sporting were given an advantage in their quest on the hour mark when Abdel Barrada deservedly picked up a second booking for a clear dive in the box.

From there the game was largely even, but numerical superiority paid off right at the death as substitute Nacho Novo pounced on a Moyà parry to head home from close range and seal victory for the Rojiblancos.

Getafe finish the weekend on 10 points, two behind their hosts, and depending on results elsewhere could yet end up in the dropzone ahead of the home match with champions Barcelona next weekend.

Sporting: Juan Pablo, Damián, Botía, Iván Hernández, Canella, Rivera (Sangoy 63), Nacho Cases (Eguren 84), Óscar Trejo (Nacho Novo 81), André Castro, De las Cuevas, Barral. Getafe: Moyà, Miguel Torres (Sarabia 43), Cata, Rafa, Mané, Míchel, Lacen, Valera, Diego Castro (Juan Rodríguez 71), Abdel Barrada, Miku (Güiza 86). Red card: Abdel 61' (second yellow)