Racing Santander moved back into the top half of the Primera Liga with a comprehensive 3-0 win at home over a poor Espanyol side.
Ivan Marcano gave Racing the lead after just 10 minutes and Oscar Serrano added a second midway through the first half as the Cantabrians quickly seized control of the match.
And Jonathan Pereira wrapped up a convincing victory for the home side when he struck a third after 59 minutes.
Both sides came into this game just three points clear of the relegation zone.
Racing had dropped back into the bottom half of the table following last weekend's defeat at Real Betis, while Espanyol suffered a dramatic last-minute loss at home to promoted side Numancia.
The visitors had only won once in the last nine matches and looked short on confidence as this game got under way.
Racing had all of the early possession and took the lead following a bad mistake by Espanyol goalkeeper Carlos Kameni after 10 minutes.
The Cameroonian came off his line to claim a free-kick, but failed to make contact and the ball fell to Marcano, who slotted home from close-range to give the home side a great start.
Valdo set up Luis Garcia straight afterwards at the other end, but the Spain forward lost his balance and his shot went well wide.
Kameni almost gifted Racing another goal after 18 minutes, when he fumbled a Pedro Munitis free-kick, but the African's error went unpunished this time.
Racing soon went two ahead, though, when Serrano struck after 26 minutes.
Munitis robbed Gregory Beranger on the right and sent in an inviting cross which Mari Lacruz failed to clear.
The ball fell to Serrano and the midfielder swept home the rebound from close-range.
Espanyol were having a miserable afternoon, but the Catalans almost pulled a goal back three minutes before half-time.
Angel Martinez's powerful volley from the edge of the box was parried by Tono and the rebound fell invitingly to Raul Tamudo, but the Espanyol captain's close-range shot was brilliantly saved by the Racing goalkeeper and Lacruz's follow up effort was blocked.
It was a narrow escape for Racing, but they looked good for their lead at this stage and thought they had gone three ahead on the stroke of half-time, but Mohamed Tchite was correctly ruled offside.
Luis Garcia threatened with a free-kick and Tamudo was off target with a header as Espanyol improved after the break.
But Racing wrapped up a fully-deserved victory after 59 minutes, when Pereira latched onto Munitis' clever through-ball and kept his cool to beat an exposed Kameni with a fine finish.
Tchite missed a good chance for Racing late on and Angel saw his effort saved by Tono at the other end.
But the game was all over as a contest now and Racing were applauded off by their fans following a fine performance.
Espanyol played a big part in their own downfall, though, and the alarm bells will start to ring at the Barcelona-based club.
The Catalans remain in 16th, while Racing climb back into the top half.
