Villarreal 2 - Málaga 0

Villarreal: Reina; Javi Venta (Sonny Anderson 46'), Quique Alvarez, Ballesteros, Arruabarrena; Battaglia, Pedro Martí; Belletti, Riquelme, Guayre (Coloccini 82'); Víctor (Roger 90'). 4-2-3-1.
Málaga: Calatayud; Rojas, Fernando Sanz, Litos (Leko 77'), Josemi; Manu (Insúa 64'), Gerardo, Miguel Angel, Duda; Diego Alonso, Canabal. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Villarreal: Battaglia, Víctor for Josico, José Marí / Málaga: Rojas, Manu, Gerardo, Diego Alonso, Canabal for Valcarce, Romero, Edgar, Insúa, Salva.

Goals:
1-0. 63. Arruabarrena. Connected with Guayre's low cross to score from close up.
2-0. 83. Sonny Anderson. Ran on to long ball from Víctor to lift shot over keeper.

High flying Villarreal stay a point behind fourth placed Atlético Madrid after they beat Málaga 2-0, their first ever win against the Andalucians. The visitors dominated the first half though, and only a fine performance by Reina stopped Gerardo, Canabal, Diego Alonso and then Manu from scoring. The only chance for the home side came from a Pedro Martí free kick, and manager Benito Floro decided to bring on Sonny Anderson at half time to help Víctor in attack. It proved to be the turning point, and the "Pistolero" tested Calatayud a couple of times soon after coming on. Shortly afterwards Víctor and Guayre combined to make a first goal for Arruabarrena, and Anderson took Víctor's through ball to lob the keeper for the second near the end. Málaga have now lost all three games in the new year, and they drop down the table to tenth.