Málaga prevail after Espanyol–Valencia drama

Málaga CF edged out CA Osasuna 1-0 in added time and leapfrogged Valencia CF – who drew 3-3 at RCD Espanyol – into fifth place.

Manuel Pellegrini's team were quick to dust themselves down from Tuesday's UEFA Champions League disappointment, with a high-tempo approach yielding an early opening for Javier Saviola.

The diminutive striker struck a post, however, and was later denied by a sprawling save from Andrés Fernández. With the clock ticking down, Júlio Baptista shattered Osasuna's resolve with a clinical finish from Joaquín's free-kick. 

Delicately poised at 1-1, the earlier contest in Barcelona burst into life when Joan Verdú restored Espanyol's lead on 82 minutes. Quickfire strikes from Jonas and Roberto Soldado turned the game on its head, and Espanyol's Raúl Rodríguez was sent off before Sergio García concluded a breathless denouement by driving in from close range with the last kick of the game.

RC Deportivo La Coruña climbed out of the relegation zone courtesy of a 4-0 success at Levante UD, who have now won just one of their last ten Liga outings. Meanwhile, Getafe CF had Alexis sent off in a 2-1 defeat by Real Valladolid CF, bringing to an end Los Azulones's seven-match unbeaten sequence.