Malaga edge out Getafe in five-goal thriller

From: Sportsmole

By Callum Mulvihill, Reporter
Filed: Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 22:48 UK

Last Updated: Sunday, March 1, 2015 at 00:54 UK

Malaga have kept the pressure on their rivals for European qualification by recording a 3-1 La Liga victory over Getafe at La Rosaleda.

A promising start was rewarded in just the 10th minute when Roberto Rosales found the space to pick out Juanmi, who powered his header home to give the hosts the lead.

Malaga dominated for much of the first half and wasted chances to add to their advantage before the break as Jonathan Lopez kept out a curling effort from Samuel Castillejo, before Juanmi came agonisingly close to scoring his second when he slid in an attempt to meet a cross at the back post.

Getafe improved in the second half and were back on level terms when Pedro Leonsprinted into space on the wing before delivering a cross which was converted by Alvaro Vazquez from close range.

However, the hosts were back in front two minutes later thanks to a ferocious effort fromSergi Darder, who unleashed a powerful strike to find the top corner from outside the box.

It looked as though the result was beyond doubt with just over 20 minutes remaining whenRicardo Horta connected with a bicycle kick to leave Lopez helpless.

Getafe would set up a tense finish when Vazquez fired home from a corner, after being gifted room at the back post, but Malaga held on to leave the visitors just four points above the relegation zone.

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Mandzukic secured another win for Atletico against Getafe 1-0

Result: Mario Mandzukic goal enough for Atletico Madrid to beat Getafe

Tweet By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter Filed: Sunday, October 26, 2014 at 21:51 UK Last Updated: Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at 13:29 UK 

A solitary Mario Mandzukic goal has proved enough for Atletico Madrid to secure a 1-0 away win at Getafe in this evening's La Liga game at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, the Colchoneros moving to within two points of leaders Barcelona and Sevilla. 

The game began in untidy fashion, with the first chance coming in the ninth minute when Juanfran's cross into the box was teed up by Mandzukic for Mario Suarez, but the shot flew wide of the target. 

Moments later, Medhi Lacen met a loose ball on the edge of the Atletico box, but the Getafe man's effort also whistled wide of the post. Both sides continued trading half-chances throughout most of the first half, with the hosts performing admirably against the Spanish champions. 

 However, just when it seemed like it would be level at the break, Atletico broke the deadlock when Arda Turan's saved effort was met on the rebound by Mandzukic. 

Getafe were quick out of the starting blocks in the second half, with Sergio Escudero and Angel Lafita forcing saves out of Miguel Moya in quick succession. Alexis was then sent off for the home side after clashing with Mandzukic just before the hour, which prompted a scuffle on the pitch between the players.

 Lafita then came close again for the hosts in the 65th minute when his effort was palmed away by Moya, with the game becoming increasingly scrappy and foul-laden. For all of Getafe's endeavours, Diego Simeone's charges were able to repel the multitude of attacks that came their way and hold on for all three valuable points in the title race.

Espanyol scores first win in Liga, beats Getafe 2-0

Espanyol claim Getafe victory

Goals from Sergio Garcia and Christian Stuani handed Espanyol their first win of the season as they leapfrogged fellow strugglers Getafe at the foot of the Primera Division.

The home side had taken just two points from four matches heading into the match, with the visitors just one better off, but los Periquitos built on an improved showing against Malaga last time out to run out 2-0 winners on the night.

It took 65 minutes to part the sides, Garcia netting with a crisp volley, and the result was sealed when Stuani stepped off the bench to finish from 12 yards.

Defeat leaves Getafe ahead of only Cordoba, who are the last team in the division to remain winless.

In a thinly populated Power8 Stadium the contest got off to a scrappy start before Garcia tested Vicente Guaita with a 15th-minute header.

The hosts had started to enjoy the majority of possession but Guaita was not called on to make another save before the half-time break.

Instead it was Getafe who almost stole the lead with their first real chance just moments before the whistle, Pablo Sarabia striking from 30 yards and Francisco Casilla diving to palm the ball round the post.

Casilla was in action again soon after the restart, Michel denied with another long-range attempt.

But it was Espanyol who made the decisive move, Salva Sevilla feigning to shoot from the edge of the area only to dink a lovely pass over the top for Garcia.

The number timed his run and finished first time to grab the lead.

Stuani missed a decent chance to make it safe when heading over from a corner but buried a low right-footed effort in the 82nd minute to ease any lingering nerves.