体坛英语新闻：Zaragoza take vital win to drop Almeria into relegation

MADRID, April 25 (Xinhua) -- An unfortunate own goal from Almeria goalkeeper Diego Alves gave Zaragoza a 1-0 win over his side in the La Romareda Stadium on Monday night.

An Ander Herrera shot 20 minutes from time bounced back off the post to hit Alves on his back and rebound into the goal to decide a tense match between two sides that had begun the game in the relegation zone of the La Liga.

The result lifts Zaragoza out of the bottom three and sees Osasuna drop into the relegation zone. However, the result leaves Almeria 10 points off safety and virtually doomed to relegation.

The first side saw both sides create chances in what was a nervous atmosphere given the importance of the game for both sides. Jiri Jarosik headed over for Zaragoza, while Braulio Rodriguez saw a powerful shot saved by Alves.

Meanwhile Almeria threatened through Antonio Luna and Jose Ulloa in a frantic opening period.

Cheered on by their home fans, Zaragoza got on top in the game but were unable to create chances against a visiting side that was only able to breathe easy when the referee blew a foul in their favor.

Ander Herrera saw a shot palmed away by Alves in the closing minutes of the half, but both sides went into the dressing room with no change from the original score.

Zaragoza were on top of the game and were unlucky when Sinama Pongolle's shot hit the post and bounced to safety after 69 minutes.

They had better luck a minute later when Ander, who will play for Athletic Club Bilbao next season, tried his luck. His shot also hit the post, but rebounded onto Alves' back and into the back of the Almeria net.

If anything the goal increased the nerves in the home side and Jarosik was under massive pressure when he headed out an Albert Crusat cross. From the resulting corner Toni Doblas reacted well to palm Carlos Garcia's header onto the crossbar.

The tension saw players form both sides involved in an ugly incident in the Zaragoza penalty area which saw a player from each side booked and when the following corner was taken Kalu Uche saw his header bounce over the Zaragoza crossbar.

Alves produced another great save to deny N'Daw in the closing minutes to save his side, before Ander was shown a rigorous red card by the referee in the last minute.

Almeria pressed hard, but Zaragoza held on for three vital points.