Málaga: Willy Caballero; Jesús
Gámez, Sergio Sánchez, Weligton, Antunes; Tissone (Samuel 84'),
Darder; Fabrice (Bobley Anderson 63'), Portillo, Eliseu; Santa Cruz (Juanmi
75'). 4-2-3-1.
Betis: Andersen; Juanfran, Perquis (Caro
54'), Jordi Figueras, Nacho; Xavi Torres, Nono; Vadillo (Cedrick 80'),
Verdú, Juan Carlos (Steinhofer 65'); Jorge Molina. 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 13. Santa Cruz. Headed past Andersen at second
attempt from Eliseu cross.
1-1. 33. Verdú. Curled free kick over
defensive wall in to near top corner of net.
2-1. 61. Eliseu. Picked up
Portillo pass and struck angled shot across keeper.
2-2. 63. Jordi. Steered
header past Caballero from wide Juan Carlos free kick.
3-2. 93. Samuel.
Following up after deflected Portillo shot came back off crossbar.
Yellow cards: Juan Carlos 35', Nono 48', Antunes 49', Tissone 74'.
Málaga beat regional rivals Betis 3-2 in the last match on Sunday to move four points clear of Pepe Mel's side, who find themselves down in the bottom three having only picked up one point from their last five games. Santa Cruz headed the locals in to the lead at the second attempt with just under a quarter of an hour gone, but Verdú equalized with a well struck free quick some twenty minutes later. There was a scare when Perquis had to be taken away in an ambulance after a clash of heads with Fabrice left him unconscious (later diagnosed as a fractured jaw), but a few minutes after play resumed Portillo put Eliseu through for him to restore the lead. Two minutes later Jordi Figueras made it all square again with a glancing header from a long Juan Carlos free kick, and either side could have scored after that, Vadillo going close a couple of times and Andersen having to save from Juanmi. However with the game in the third minute of time added on Portillo's shot ballooned off Jordi Figueras on to the bar, and Samuel was on hand to volley home the rebound.