Mallorca back to winning ways

Mallorca got their first win in 15 games in all competitions as they came from behind to beat Real Betis 2-1.

Mallorca got their first win in 15 games in all competitions as they came from behind to beat Champions League-chasing Real Betis 2-1 at the Benito Villamarin. Benat's free-kick had given the hosts an early lead, but Victor brought the Islanders level with a fine header on the half-hour mark. And the comeback was completed just two minutes into the second half when Mario's challenge on Victor was deemed to have taken place inside the area and Javi Marquez comfortably slotted home the resultant penalty. Betis manager Pepe Mel had warned his side of complacency after losing against Rayo Vallecano and Granada already this season in games they were expected to win and it appeared his troops had taken that advice on board as they started with great tempo and intent. The opener arrived in slightly fortuitous fashion, though, as Benat's free-kick from the left was missed by everyone in the middle and bounced into the far corner of the net after just three minutes. Joel Campbell and Jorge Molina both then had great chances to double the advantage but neither could find the target when presented with clear sights of goal and those misses were to prove vital as Mallorca took advantage of a drop in Betis' intensity after the opening 20 minutes. Victor equalised with an excellent header from Kevin Garcia's cross which sneaked past Adrian low inside his left-hand post, but Betis could easily have been back in front before the break as Dudu Aouate made a smart save from Jose Canas' volley and Jose Nunes cleared Ruben Castro's effort off the line from the resulting corner. However, Mel's men found themselves behind just two minutes into the second half as Mario brought down Victor and although the contact appeared to be outside the area, referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco pointed to the spot and Marquez slotted his penalty right down the middle for his first Mallorca goal. Betis then went in search of the equaliser that would have moved them into fourth, but long-range strikes from Javi Chica and Benat that Aouate turned behind were the closest they came as Mallorca held on for a huge three points that move them up to 15th.