PFDC - PAMPLONA, A dramatic goal from Javad Nekounam in injury time gave Osasuna a much needed 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Espanyol.

With these golden three points, the men from Pamplona are out of the relagation zone, only a point away from Real Betis and Recreativo Huelva and two points away from Athletic Bilbao, Almeria and Getafe.

Uneventful first half

Both sides came into the game desperate for a win, but there were only few scoring chances in a dour first half.

Osasuna's best chance of the half fell to Miguel Flano, but the defender blazed a header over the bar from a Punal free-kick.

Improved second half

The hosts had the better of the second half and, with the introduction of Masoud Shojaei, stepped up their attempts to force the breakthrough.

Pandiani should have scored ten minutes from time, a perfect cross from Nekunam found "El Rifle" unmarked inside the box, but the Uruguay striker headed the ball directly in Kameni's hands.

Moments later, Nekounam drilled a shot from the edge of the box, but the Cameroon goalkeeper had the last word with a fine save.

Nekounam the hero

In injury time, Masoud earned a well placed free-kick for Osasuna. Patxi Punal took the set-piece and sent a swinging cross towards the second post where Javad Nekounam rose behind the defenders to find the back of the net with a beautiful header to the joy of the 20 000 fans in the Stadio Reyno de Navarra.

While Neko was the hero of the match, his compatriot Masoud Shojaei played a big role in the victory. The 24-year-old, who replaced Juanfran after 64 minutes, displayed a lively performance, creating lots of problems in the right wing and reviving Osasuna's anemic offense.

Top