MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 14: Faycal Fajr of RC Deportivo la Coruna in action during the La Liga match between Rayo Vallecano and RC Deportivo La Coruna at Estadio Teresa Rivero on September 14, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Deportivo La Coruna picked up their second away win of the season by seeing off Real Betis in the second half and winning 2-1.
Fede Cartabia broke the deadlock on 54 minutes with a terrific long-range strike, only for Petros Matheus to level five minutes later. But Faycal Fajr restored the Galicians' lead with 18 minutes to go and they held on for the three points, taking them up to seventh in the Primera Division table.
Rafael van der Vaart made his long-awaited debut for Betis but it lasted just 48 minutes, calling to be substituted after clashing with teammate Ruben Castro, much to the bemusement of his coach Pepe Mel. Things got even worse for Betis a few minutes later when Cartabia let fly from 30 yards and the ball span in the air and dipped down off the crossbar and into the net, taking goalkeeper Antonio Adan completely by surprise.
But the hosts quickly got back on level terms. Van der Vaart's replacement Dani Ceballos spun way from two defenders to slip the ball into the path of Petros, who arrowed into the bottom corner. Deportivo had also conceded a goal shortly after scoring themselves in their previous game, a 3-2 defeat to Sporting Gijon, but to their credit they lifted their heads and got themselves back in front.
Luisinho raced down the left wing on the break and crossed towards Borges at the far post. The Costa Rica international headed the ball back into the middle of the area and Fajr swiveled to half-volley the ball beyond Adan.
Deportivo rises to seventh in the standings.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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