Málaga 2 - Espanyol 0

Málaga: Rafa; Josemi, Litos, Fernando Sanz, Roteta; Gerardo, Romero, Miguel Angel (Sandro 85'), Duda (Zárate 65'); Darío Silva, Dely Valdés (Canabal 77'). 4-4-2.
Espanyol: Mora; Navas, Lopo, Rotchen, David García; Soldevilla, Morales (Roger 71'); Velamazán (Iván Díaz 25'), Palencia (Aganzo 56'), De Lucas; Tamudo. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Málaga: Rafa, Miguel Angel, Duda for Contreras, Sandro, Musampa / Espanyol: Lopo, De Lucas for Alex Fernández, Roger.

Goals:
1-0. 33. Duda. Bent free kick over keeper from outside of area.
2-0. 84. Darío Silva (penalty). After Zárate brought down by Lopo in area.

Málaga moved back away from the danger zone with an easy victory over Espanyol, who have not won now in the Rosaleda stadium in 22 years. Both managers were forced to make changes to their line ups, Paco Flores replacing the injured Alex and Roger with Lopo and De Lucas, with Soldevilla switching from defence to join Morales in the anchorman role (De Lucas was being watched by Glasgow Rangers technical director Dick Advocaat). Joaquín Peiró had to change his keeper at the last minute as Contreras was indisposed, and with Musampa suspended the manager gave Duda his first start. The decision proved to be a good one, the Portuguese midfielder making his claim for a more regular place with the opening goal from a free kick from outside of the area on the half hour mark. Espanyol's only reply came from Toni Velamazán early on, but the midfielder was carried off midway through the first half with a knee ligament injury which is expected to keep him out for the rest of the season.

With the wind now sweeping down from the open side of Málaga's unfinished stadium, play was difficult, and Mora kept out efforts by ex Espanyol striker Darío Silva and Miguel Angel as the first half came to a close. In the second half Peiró brought on Zárate and Canabal for Duda and the disappointing Dely Valdés, who has not scored now in six weeks, and both substitutes made their mark with near misses soon after coming on. By now Espanyol had disappeared from the match all together, and they went further behind when Lopo brought down Zárate in the area near the end, Darío Silva converting the resulting penalty. Both teams end the weekend in the lower half of the table on 24 points, with Málaga moving ahead of their opponents on goal average.