Granada edges Malaga to emerge from drop zone

Granada, Spain – Granada climbed out of the relegation zone 1 win over Malaga at Los Carmenes.

With its second-straight La Liga victory, Granada improves to 25 points on the year to sit tied with Rayo Vallecano and Mallorca in the Spanish top flight.

Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo, on loan from Udinese, put the home side in front after a scoreless first half, notching his third goal of the La Liga season in the 57th minute.

Malaga answered 11 minutes later through Salomon Rondon, but Inigo Lopez grabbed the game-winner nine minutes from time to claim the win for Granada.

The visitors were dealt a major blow in the 83rd minute when Martin Demichelis was given a straight red card, reducing Malaga to 10 men and sealing the 2-1 loss.

Malaga has now lost three of its last four league contests and remains in eighth place with 28 points through 21 games.