Granada: Julio César; David
Cortés, Iñigo López, Borja Gómez, Siqueira;
Moisés Hurtado, Mikel Rico; Franco Jara (Jaime Romero 87'), Carlos
Martins (Abel Gómez 83'), Dani Benítez; Ighalo (Uche 64').
4-2-3-1.
Espanyol: Cristian Alvarez; Javi López,
Raúl Rodríguez, Forlín, Didac; Víctor
Sánchez, Raúl Baena (Pandiani 78'); Weiss, Verdú, Romaric
(Coutinho 54'); Alvaro Vázquez (Rui Fonte 65'). 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 29. Ighalo. Picked up Jara pass and turned past
marker to beat Alvarez.
2-0. 34. Ighalo. Turned ball in on far post after
Mikel Rico crossed from right.
2-1. 54. Didac. Fired long shot across Julio
César and in off keeper's far post.
Yellow cards: Weiss 41'.
Granada beat Espanyol 2-1 on Tuesday evening to move eight points clear of the drop zone. The Andalusians got off to a lively start, Cristian Alvarez having to save from Benítez, Ighalo and Martins in the first ten minutes. Espanyol responded with a header just over from Forlín and a long shot from Romaric which Julio César tipped over the bar. But with the visitors starting to get on top Ighalo struck twice in five minutes, turning in crosses from Franco Jara and Mikel Rico. Didac got one back, beating the keeper with a long shot, and there were chances after for both sides, Alvarez keeping out a deflected shot from Iñigo López, and Julio César pushing a Rui Fonte header over the top. A much needed win for Granada before a difficult end to the season, but a third defeat in a row for the Catalans which scuppers their possibilities of reaching the European spots this year.