Derby joy for Malaga

Tuesday, 31 January 2012 17:00

Written by Editor

Malaga  2 - 1  Sevilla

With both Malaga and Sevilla having European qualification aspirations, Sunday night’s game took on greater importance. Malaga started brilliantly, Rondon drew a good save from Sevilla's Varas in goal, and then nearly scored from a Carzola freekick. Another Carzola freekick was met by an unmarked  Weligton six yards out to put Malaga in front.  Sevilla looked poor but surprisingly on their first real attack, a great dummy by Negrado left the Malaga defence flat footed, and Luna was able to slot home.  Malaga restored their lead in a scrappy fashion with  Rondon beating the offside trap and squaring for Seba to finish after the 2nd attempt.  Possibly Malaga's best 45 minutes all season.

The second half turned bad tempered and with Demichelis and Negredo having a running battle all game, the yellow cards were out aplenty.  With 12 minutes left Isco was sent off after his 2nd yellow card.  Coke headed home for Sevilla but was adjudged to be offside, and Malaga held on bravely to claim a great three points and move themselves up to 7th in La Liga.

Another Andalucian Derby next Monday night sees Malaga travel to Granada.

Report by Scott Forbes