Getafe up into Euro places

Getafe moved into the European places in the Primera Division after comfortably beating Real Betis 3-1 at home.

Getafe moved into the European places in the Primera Division after comfortably beating Real Betis 3-1 at home. Luis Garcia's side scored three goals in 11 frantic first-half minutes - the first two coming from Pedro Leon while Adrian Colunga grabbed the third. Betis had hopes of staging a comeback when Getafe defender Rafa scored an own goal early into the second period, but the hosts held firm to record their third straight victory. Getafe approached the game after notching back-to-back victories over Celta Vigo and Espanyol while Betis, who beat Villarreal in their last league game, travelled to Madrid only three days after drawing 1-1 with Croatian side Rijeka in the Europa League. The team that lined up against Getafe was almost completely different from the one that played in Croatia, but even though the players should have been fresh, they were outplayed by Getafe, who dominated from the start and created three decent chances in the opening 15 minutes. Ten minutes were on the clock when Leon crossed from the right for Borja Fernandez, but the midfielder failed to direct his shot on target. Leon then saw a volley saved by Betis goalkeeper Guillermo Sara before the Argentinian was called into action to deny Borja at the near post. The deadlock was broken in the 16th minute, after Getafe were awarded a free-kick about 40 yards from goal. Leon hit what looked to be a deep cross into the box but it soared over the defenders and attackers, beyond the stunned Sara and into the net. Six minutes later, Leon got on the scoresheet again, heading home a Colunga cross from six yards out. Provider then turned goalscorer as the Asturian striker notched the third goal. Betis defender Paulao was caught out of position and played Colunga onside, the Getafe striker calmly controlling a long ball before lobbing Sara. Visiting coach Pepe Mel made a double substitution at the break to try and spark a comeback, bringing on forwards Cedrick Mabwati and Alvaro Vadillo for Xavi Torres and Juanfran. The visitors did find a way back into the game five minutes into the second half, although it was not down to the substitutes. When Joan Verdu floated a cross into the box from a free-kick, Rafa rose and accidentally headed the ball backwards and into the top corner of his own net. The goal did not signal a revival from Mel's side although defender Antonio Amaya could have pulled another goal back, attempting an overhead kick inside the box which was caught by Getafe goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya. Vadillo and Cedrick both came close to hitting the target although Getafe substitute Jaime Gavilan, who had replaced the injured Leon, came even closer to scoring a goal that would have killed off the game when he struck a volley inches wide of the far post.