Betis doesn't give up and neither do we. So read the sentence that Rubén Castro posted on his personal Twitter (@RubenCastro_24) before the match accompanied by a motivational video. Premonitory statement for a striker who has four goals to his name in two games. With every match minute that goes by he shows improvement and today he gave the team three points. An afternoon of first times at the Villamarín with Gabi Calderón's debut at home and places in the line-up for Antonio Adán and Alfred N'Diaye, the two new signings in the winter transfer market. It was also the premiere of a new tactical formation on the turf. The manager said in the pre-match press conference that they had to put a stop to the goals the team was conceding, and the defence of three and two wing backs laid the law down in the initial line-up. N'Diaye took up the central fullback position aided by Amaya on the right and Jordi on the left. The French player was the one who stood out in the opening minutes of the match. His physique was imposing in the high ball game and he organised the rest when Espanyol had possession of the ball. Betis did not play a great game in the first half but they had two golden opportunities, starting with a triangulation between Juanfran, Chuli and Rubén which culminated in a shot by Salva Sevilla which went the wrong side of Casilla's left post. Undoubtedly, one of the great evils of Betis this season was the fact that the team was unable to score in the first half, something they hadn't managed for a long time. The team was gaining in confidence with the passing of the minutes engaging better with the tactical formation. It is true that the attacking plays on occasions didn't work out for the team but on other occasions they came close the getting the prize they desired. Rubén copied Salva Sevilla's shot off a centre by Juanfran which came even closer to the same post. That was in the 23rd minute but they were not to get another opportunity like that until the 44th minute when a sprint up the pitch and pass by N'Diaye ended in a piece of individual play by Juan Carlos. It wasn't a brilliant performance but the team were solid in defence and by half time the Green-and-whites seemed to be on their way to winning points. An approach by Espanyol brought with it a scare when a corner kick taken by Simao passed through the area with the risk that a leg could get to it and send it towards Adán's goal, but it wasn't to be. The goalkeeper didn't have too much work to do in the first half and that was the first time things had got complicated. We did not have to wait long for Betis' response which was good both in quantity and quality. The first instance came in the 6th minute of the second half with an entry by Verdú, but he couldn't shoot and the imminent risk did not come to anything. The Catalan made a mistake trying to control the ball instead of looking for the shot. Just one minute later the attacking midfielder provided an assist for Rubén Castro who almost scored the gaol he was so desperately after. Betis was going to get better. They dominated the game both in defence and in offence. They had possession of the ball and Calderón turned up the gas. Batistao came on for Chuli. They were doing well when the one who is always there for the team appeared. A chip in the air was trapped by Lolo Reyes and his right-footed missile struck the post and Rubén picked up the rebound. Madness took hold of the stands and the team got a boost to their morale that they had almost forgotten. As it was an afternoon of first times, Nosa came on for Salva Sevilla who got an ovation. The Nigerian was back and no sooner had he got on to the pitch he almost scored a goal. The control Betis had over the match was nearly broken by Stuani but Adán was there to prove what a great goalie he is. The first play that caused danger after minutes of inactivity resulted in a save in the one on one with the visiting forward. Nosa's first piece of action in the match cost him dear. A collision with Casilla made it impossible for the midfielder to continue, he tried but in the 39th minute Matilla came on to substitute. The end of the match was very different to previous ones and Rubén Castro had a lot to do with that. The Canarian seems to be a different player, he is on top form and he is showing it. As soon as Verdú got the ball, Rubén sprinted at full tilt the Catalan saw him and launched a long pass. Control, dribble, feign, shot and goal. Four actions were enough for the crested player to decide the match. Since the match against Villarreal Betis had not won a match at home and in this, their first final, they got the will to go on. Betis does not give up.