Málaga claim vital victory

By Andy Hall

A 65th-minute goal from Paulo Wanchope gave Málaga CF a 1-0 victory at home to Sevilla FC tonight while ten-man Getafe CF and Club Atlético de Madrid shared the spoils in the Spanish capital.

Lucky break
New Málaga coach Antonio Tapia, who replaced the sacked Gregorio Manzano earlier this week, was able to celebrate a win after Wanchope managed to touch the ball into the net under pressure from Sevilla's Aitor Ocio, following a goalkeeping error by Esteban Suárez.

Looking up
The home side had won just one of their last ten outings, but hung on to defeat a Sevilla team spearheaded by Ariza Makukula and seeking to close the gap on the top four. The result took Málaga to within a point of Real Racing Club Santander and Albacete Balompié, the teams hovering just above the relegation places. Sevilla stayed fifth.

Pachón on target
Meanwhile, Getafe, who are just two points better off than Málaga, drew 1-1 at home to eighth-placed Atlético. The visitors failed to capitalise on their supremacy following Jorge Larena's 35th-minute goal and were pegged back just after the hour when Valentín Pachón equalised for Getafe.

Makeshift defence
Atlético coach César Ferrando fielded a makeshift defence but will have been frustrated by his side's failure to overcome opponents reduced to ten men by the 45th-minute dismissal of defender Rubén Pulido.