Felix Borja struck the only goal of the game as bottom-of-the-table Chivas USA registered their seventh win of the MLS season with a 1-0 home victory over Real Salt Lake.
The hosts started brightly and might have moved ahead after 14 minutes but, after latching on to Erick Torres's through-ball, Leandro Barrera fired wide.
Unperturbed, Chivas carried on in the same vein and took the lead just two minutes after the restart through Borja.
Wilmer Cabrera's side could, and perhaps should, have doubled their lead on 64 minutes but Torres, who was fouled in the box, saw his penalty saved by Nick Rimando.
Chivas continued to struggle in their quest for a second as Bobby Burling then headed against the post, while Robbie Findley later spurned a fine chance for the visitors.
Nevertheless, the hosts managed to hold on for a rare victory in the Western Conference.
Shane Callaghan
