Granada: Roberto; Nyom, Coeff, Murillo, Brayan Angulo; Recio, Fatau (Buonanotte 59’), Fran Rico; Riki (Foulquier 82’), El-Arabi (Ighalo 89’), Brahimi. 4-3-3.
Elche: Manu Herrera; Damián Suárez, Charlie Dean, Pelegrín, Sapunaru; Rivera, Rubén Pérez; Carles Gil (Rodrigues 56’), Javi Márquez, Manu del Moral (Fidel 73’); Coro (Boakye 76’). 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 63. Brahimi. Picked up El-Arabi pass and struck angled shot past Herrera.
Yellow cards: Sapunaru 12’, 70’, Carlos Sánchez 72’, Boakye 79’, Fidel 84’, Fran Rico 85’ / red cards: Sapunaru 70’.
Granada moved clear of the danger zone after beating Elche 1-0 on Saturday afternoon. The Andalusians started the match just a point above their opponents, but Recio fired a couple of long shots wide, and Manu Herrera did well to save from Riki as the locals controlled the opening minutes. Javi Márquez tested Roberto with a long shot after the break though, and he felt himself unlucky not to be awarded a goal when the keeper appeared to carry his wide free kick over the line soon afterwards. However a few minutes later Damián Suárez slipped whilst taking a free kick on the half way line, delivering the ball to El-Arabi who ran on to set up Brahimi to open the scoring. Ten minutes later Granada were awarded a penalty when Sapunaru was shown a second yellow card for a foul on El-Arabi, but Fran Rico fired his spot kick against the post. In the end though it didn’t matter, and only a good save by Herrera prevented Murillo from adding a second near the end.