Espanyol lift King's Cup with sparkling 4-1 win

MADRID, Apr 13 (Reuters) Espanyol put aside relegation worries to clinch a scintillating 4-1 win over favourites Real Zaragoza in the King's Cup final at the Bernabeu.

Midfielder Ivan de la Pena masterminded the victory for the Primera Liga strugglers by setting up three goals, while striker Luis Garcia weighed in with a classy double.

It was the fourth time the Barcelona-based club had won the knockout competition, their last victory coming six years ago against Atletico Madrid.

Yesterday's victory sparked wild celebrations from the assembled Espanyol fans who have spent much of the season worrying about the threat of losing their top flight status.

''I've spent over 40 years dreaming about a trophy that captured my imagination when I was a young Athletic Bilbao fan,'' said Espanyol coach Miguel Angel Lotina.

''At last I've got the Cup I've wanted so much.'' For Zaragoza, who were reduced to 10 men in the closing minutes after keeper Cesar was sent off, it was a disappointing end after their team had promised so much by eliminating Barcelona and Real Madrid in earlier rounds.

The teams were given an ear-splitting reception from the 70,000 fans who had converged on the Bernabeu and they responded with a suitably high-decibel start.

Zaragoza midfielder Oscar enjoyed the first chance after just 30 seconds when Ewerthon picked him out with a neat through-pass in the area, but he sent his shot into the arms of keeper Carlos Kameni.

Less than a minute later Espanyol snatched the lead after they were awarded a free kick in a central position some 25 metres from the goal.

De la Pena slammed a fierce dipping shot onto the crossbar and skipper Raul Tamudo reacted sharply to head the rebound low past Cesar.

Tamudo also grabbed an early goal the last time Espanyol won the Cup in 2000, when he scored the opener in their 2-1 victory over Atletico.

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