Almería: Rubén; Casado (Antonio Marín 57‘), Ximo Navarro, Trujillo, Dubarbier; Verza (Hemed 76‘), Thomas; Wellington Silva, Corona, Espinosa (Jonathan Zongo 66‘); Thievy. 4-2-3-1.
Málaga: Kameni; Rosales, Angeleri, Weligton (Sergio Sánchez 63‘), Boka; Sergi Darder, Tissone; Samuel (Recio 86‘), Duda (Juanmi 76‘), Amrabat; Javi Guerra. 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
0-1. 23. Casado (own goal). Deflected Amrabat shot into own goal trying to clear.
1-1. 31. Thomas. Got in front of Kameni to head wide Casado free kick into net.
1-2. 69. Javi Guerra. Got on the end of Amrabat cross to poke ball in on near post.
Yellow cards: Weligton 34’, Cadado 42’, Soriano 69’, Amrabat 72’, Samuel 78’, Dubarbier 87’, Recio 92’.
Málaga improved their chances of a return to Europe after beating regional rivals Almería 1-2, their first victory in nine games taking Javi Gracia’s side back up to seventh. The locals needed a result as well though to move away from the danger zone, and in the opening minutes Thomas saw his shot deflected over the bar by Tissone, and Wellington Silva got free on goal only to shoot wide. Rubén had to save from Javi Guerra soon afterwards however, and with just over twenty minutes gone the visitors took the lead, Casado deflecting Amrabat’s wayward shot after Duda had headed a Samuel cross over to the striker. The ex Málaga full back made up for his mistake just three minutes later with a long free kick which Thomas headed past Kameni, and the visiting keeper had to save from Espinosa soon after the restart. With twenty minutes left on the clock though Javi Guerra got on the end og Amrabat’s cross to restore the lead, and Samuel could have added a third when he lobbed a shot just over the bar with the goal at his mercy. Despite the defeat Almería stay a point ahead of Deportivo, Granada and Eibar pending the decision on the appeal against the deduction of three points by FIFA for late payment of interest charges on an international transfer, which will now be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland on 20th May, just three days before the season finishes