Almeria welcomed fellow La Liga strugglers Getafe on Sunday knowing that a win would move them out of the bottom three.
Both sides had half-chances in the first period, but it was Almeria that led at the break courtesy of Edgar Mendez.
Getafe's task was made harder just past the hour when Sergio Escudero was sent from the field.
Almeria were also reduced to 10 men late on when Tomer Hemed picked up a second yellow, but the home side held on to record their first home league win of the season.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos as Almeria welcome Getafe. Right, before we get down to the facts and figures ahead of the clash, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS
ALMERIA: Julian; Michel, Mauro, Trujillo, Dubarbier; Verza, Corona; Silva, Edgar, Soriano; Hemed
GETAFE: Codina; Arroyo, Escudero, Naldo, Velazquez; Castro, Sammir, Juan, Sarabia; Hinestroza, Vazquez
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Almeria XI, with Tomer Hemed once again leading the line. Club captain Corona is also included alongside Verza, while Fernando Soriano will start further forward. The legs in wide areas will come from Wellington Silva and Edgar Mendez.
Getafe, meanwhile, have also lined up with an attacking XI this afternoon. Spaniard Alvaro Vasquez will gain support in a forward area from Fredy Hinestroza, while Pablo Sarabia and Juan Rodriguez are also in the side. Pedro Leon, however, is only among the substitutes for the visitors.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Getafe have won two of the last five matches, with Almeria winning once and the further two fixtures ending in draws. The corresponding match last season ended in a 1-1 draw, but Getafe beat Almeria 1-0 in the Spanish capital earlier this campaign. It is a vital match between two struggling teams here.
As it stands, Almeria sit 19th in the table on 16 points. They have won just four of their 20 league games this season, but incredibly, all four of those victories have come on the road. At home, it has been a different story entirely, with the club collecting just three points from their nine matches, which is the main reason for their struggles at this particular stage of the campaign.
Indeed, Almeria have won more away games this season than Valencia and the same number as Villarreal, who are both pushing for the top four. Almeria beat Malaga 2-1 after the winter break, but have since lost to Sevilla, Valencia and Espanyol, with three straight defeats dropping them into the bottom three. All three of those sides are in good form, however, and it is far from a disgrace.
Getafe, however, moved out of the bottom three on Monday evening with a vital 2-1 win at home to Celta Vigo. That victory was the capital outfit's first in the league since October – a run that stretched back nine matches. As it stands, the visitors currently occupy 15th position in the table on 20 points.
Getafe's away form this season has not been too strong, but they have picked up two wins, which is far from disastrous in relation to the teams around them. Scoring goals has been a problem all season, however, with only Granada and Levante hitting fewer at this stage of the campaign. Just 16 goals have been registered by Getafe in their 20 league matches, which is simply not good enough.
PREDICTION! I fear that this match is going to be non-eventful, which hopefully means the opposite. Both teams are struggling at the moment and to be blunt, I am finding it difficult to back a win for either. It should be tight for long spells and I am backing a score to match. For me, a 1-1 draw.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Not a full stadium, but there is a decent atmosphere. It is the home side get the first 45 minutes of action underway.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in this type of match. Both teams are short of confidence that is for certain. It is Almeria with the early possession.
Alvaro Vasquez thinks that he has the chance to send Getafe ahead after collecting a deep pass from Sammir, but the striker had moved into an offside position. Both teams are just attempting to settle with the ball. It is the type of match where neither will want to concede at an early stage.
Getafe have just managed to gain control of the ball in the last couple of minutes, but neither side has had an attacking moment in the opening six minutes. As expected, it is awfully tight early on here.
End-to-end football in the last couple of minutes, with Silva causing problems down the right for the home side. The Brazilian delivers a low cross towards Hemed, but the forward cannot make contact. Getafe are down the other end with Sarabia moments later, but the attack breaks down quickly.
PENALTY SHOUT! Almeria have a case for a penalty as Arroyo hacks Edgar to the ground inside the box, but the referee is not interested. That was a stonewall spot-kick for me.
CROSSBAR! The home side come close to opening the scoring as Trujillo meets a corner from the left, but his header smashes against the crossbar. Really good spell for the home side here.
All the pressure is coming from the home side at the moment as Hemed meets another cross from Soriano, but his effort is just deflected wide of the post. Getafe cannot get out of their own half.
You just get the feeling that Almeria need to score during this spell of pressure. Hemed remains the main target in the final third and the striker does well to set up Silva, but the latter's through pass is claimed by Codina in the Getafe goal. Still goalless, but the hosts are forcing the issue here.
Half-chance for the visitors this time as Castro meets a loose ball outside the box, but his effort was always straight into the arms of Julian. It was certainly struck well, but it never really threatened.
CHANCE! Getafe's best chance of the match falls to Vasquez as the striker meets a flick from Sarabia before advancing on goal, but his low effort brings a fine save from Julian.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last few moments following a couple of late challenges, but there has still not been a booking, which is surprising 20 minutes in.
Half-chance for Getafe on the counter as Castro drives into the Almeria half before finding Sarabia, who delivers towards the far post, but Michel is on hand to clear for a corner. The resulting set piece is delivered from the right, but Julian comes to claim before releasing Silva down the other end.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but it is an entertaining match, with both teams prepared to commit numbers in the final third. We are in need of a goal though!
Getafe remain a threat on the counter as Sarabia drives past two defenders before finding Vasquez, but Michel is on hand to clear at the vital moment. It is the visitors on top with 26 minutes played.
BOOKING! Hinestroza (Getafe) is booked for a late challenge on Verza.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and the score is still 0-0. Both sides have had chances, but neither goalkeeper has been too concerned thus far. Getafe again threaten when Sarabia delivers a dangerous cross from the left, but Julian is out to claim ahead of Vasquez.
Another half-chance for Getafe as Sammir controls one outside the box before striking towards goal, but again, it is comfortable for Julian, who has certainly been the busier of the two goalkeepers here.
Just a reminder that later this evening - from 7.30pm - we will have live commentary of Barcelona against Villarreal, which should be a real cracker. Be sure to join me for that one from the Camp Nou.
BOOKING! Castro (Getafe) is booked for a late challenge on Corona.
Corona stays down following that challenge and does not look at all comfortable.
I would be surprised if Corona continues here as he leaves the pitch in a lot of pain.
Possession football from the home side in the last couple of minutes, while Corona has indeed returned to the field. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and the score is still level at 0-0.
As it stands, both teams would move up one place, with Almeria rising into 18th and Getafe moving into 14th. In truth, a point would not be the worst result for either side, but it is the home team pushing in the latter stages of the half. Trujillo has a penalty shout, but the referee is not interested.
BOOKING! Verza (Almeria) is booked for a poor challenge on Sammir.
Decent spell for Getafe in the last couple of minutes as they force a corner following an extended period of possession, but Naldo heads straight into the arms of Julian. Little time remaining in the first half.
GOAL! Almeria 1-0 Getafe (Edgar)
Almeria strike first in the latter stages of the first period as Edgar Mendez collects an excellent pass from Corona before curling one into the bottom corner. Super finish from the Spaniard there.
We are into the first of two additional minutes here.
HALF-TIME: Almeria 1-0 Getafe
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Almeria leading 1-0 courtesy of that excellent finish from Mendez just moments before the interval. Getafe have had chances of their own, however, with Alvaro Vasquez bringing a fine save from Julian, who has been busy for the hosts.
STATS! Almeria have just about shaded the possession with 53%, but they have only had one shot on target - which brought their goal. Getafe, in contrast, have had six attempts, five of which have been on target, but it has been a largely frustrating afternoon for the visitors thus far.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a couple of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with Espinosa and Teye both in reserve. Getafe, meanwhile, have options in the shape of pedro Leon and Astray. However, it would be a surprise if changes were made by either at the interval.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will Almeria record their first home league win of the season? It is the away side that get the second 45 minutes underway.
No changes from either side at the break, which is not all that surprising. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-0 for the next 20, 25 minutes. Can Getafe respond?
Positive start to the second period from Almeria as Verza breaks down the left before delivering a cross towards Soriano, but Juan Rodriguez manages to head clear. Moments later, Silva goes down inside the Getafe box, but the referee points for a corner. Getafe are having to resist some pressure here.
CHANCE! Edgar comes close to scoring his second of the match after meeting a corner from Verza, but his header is saved at the near post by Codina. All one-way traffic here.
Edgar looks in the mood as he strikes one on the bounce just outside the box, but Codina makes the save. You just get the feeling that Getafe cannot afford to fall two goals behind at this stage.
Getafe have a penalty shout as Trujillo appears to grapple Vasquez inside the box, but the referee is not interested. It is all a little untidy at the moment as more late challenges occur in the midfield area.
BOOKING! Escudero (Getafe) is booked for a late challenge on Michel.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Almeria have the ball in the back of the net, but it does not count due to an offside decision. Michel was on hand to tap home and replays have shown that it should have been given.
BOOKING! Hemed (Almeria) is booked for delaying the taking of a goal kick.
Getafe are preparing to make their first change, with Leon stripped and ready to enter.
SUB! Getafe indeed make their first change as Leon replaces Freddy.
Almeria remain the team on the front foot, with Michel causing problems in a wide area. The Brazilian delivers another cross towards Hemed, but Codina is out to claim at the vital moment.
RED CARD! Getafe are down to 10 men as Escudero is sent off for a second bookable offence. It was a rash challenge on Silva and the Spaniard has put his team in all sorts of trouble now.
Almeria want a penalty as Naldo appears to handle inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Getafe just need to be careful that they do not lose their heads after just going down to 10 men.
Arroyo attempts to fashion a chance for the away side after driving down the right, but his cross is straight into the arms of the Almeria goalkeeper and the hosts break straight down the other end.
SUB! Getafe make their second change as Lago replaces Sarabia.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to score a second as Hemed breaks past the Getafe defence before attempting to fire one into the top corner, but Codina makes a fine save.
Little over 15 minutes of football remaining the score is still 1-0 Almeria. It feels a long time ago that Mendez opened the scoring, but Getafe are still in this match despite playing second fiddle this half.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for Hemed, but he fires high and wide after meeting a cross from Soriano. Hemed really should have had at least one goal here and it could cost his team.
SUB! Almeria look to their bench as Velez replaces Corona.
CHANCE! Easily Getafe's best moment of the second period as a dangerous cross from Leon is headed to Arroyo, but his powerful strike is straight down the throat of Julian.
BOOKING! Soriano (Almeria) is booked for pulling Rodriguez to the ground.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with a series of late challenges interrupting the flow. Little over 10 minutes for Getafe to find an equaliser here.
Good pressure from the away side in the last couple of minutes as Naldo breaks forward from defence before finding Lago, who delivers from a wide area, but Michel is on hand to clear the danger.
RED CARD! Almeria are down to 10 men as Hemed picks up a second booking for a foul on Arroyo. Well, it is now 10 against 10 in the final 10 minutes or so in Almeria.
SUB! Getafe make their final change as Arroyo is replaced by Buendia.
It is Getafe that are really forcing the issue as Lago delivers another dangerous cross, but Julian is on hand to take the pressure off his back four. Can Almeria stave off this late pressure?
SUB! Almeria make their second change as Romera replaces Mendez.
It is end-to-end at the moment as Getafe seek an equaliser, but Almeria can sense a second.
Half-chance for Getafe as Sammir drives to the edge of the box before attempting to find the top corner, but Julian makes a fairly routine save. Almeria are almost there, but they are holding on a touch.
BOOKING! Lago (Getafe) is booked for dissent.
SUB! Almeria make their third and final change as Silva is replaced by Espinosa.
We are into the second of three additional minutes here.
CHANCE! Almeria come close to securing all the points as Soriano meets a loose save from Codina on the edge of the box, but his effort is wide of the post. Still Getafe have a chance.
Half-chance for the away side as Leon strikes one from a wide angle, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Almeria are close to recording their first home league win of the season.
FULL-TIME: Almeria 1-0 Getafe
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Almeria running out 1-0 winners. That result has moved the home side out of the bottom three into 16th, just one spot behind Getafe. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good afternoon!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
