Almeria have moved out of the bottom three in La Liga with a hard-fought win over fellow strugglers Eibar at the Estadio Mediterraneo.
The visitors were almost gifted a seventh-minute lead when Angel Trujillo's defensive header needed to be turned away from goal by Ruben.
However, it was Almeria who went ahead within moments when Thievy Bifouma's clever footwork and well-struck shot from the edge of the area beat keeper Xavi Irureta.
Eibar almost got back on level terms after Manu del Moral's tantalising cross from the right flank needed a last-gasp header behind from Ximo Navarro to deny Mikel Arruabarrena at the far post.
The home side nearly doubled their advantage before the interval when Jonathan Zongo sprinted down the wing and slid the ball back into the path of Bifouma, but the forward's effort was deflected over the crossbar.
Another cross from Zongo just after the break created another golden opportunity for Bifouma to score, only for the Congolese frontman to rattle the woodwork.
Almeria did finally find a second goal after Wellington Silva was brought down in the area by Didac Vila.
Verza duly dispatched the subsequent spot kick beyond the reach of Irureta to give the hosts a comfortable lead and almost added a third late on as he saw his effort deflected over the bar.
However, Almeria were able to hold on to move into 17th in the table, two points ahead of Deportivo La Coruna, who drew with Malaga earlier in the day.
Chris O'Keefe
