Week 17's opening match in La Liga pitted newly-promoted Elche against Malaga at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.
The home side had the best of the chances in the first period, but trailed at the interval courtesy of a header from Ignacio Camacho.
Both teams had chances in an end-to-end second half, but Malaga held firm at the back to secure their first away league win of the season.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Week 17 in La Liga opens from the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero as Elche welcome Malaga. As it stands, the home occupy 14th position in the table on 17 points, while Malaga sit one point and one spot above their opponents this evening. It is the type of match that both managers will have earmarked for three points.
As mentioned, the last time the two sides met in this stadium was in a Segunda Division clash in October 2007, when the home side were 2-0 winners. However, Malaga were victorious by the same scoreline in the reverse match later in the season. A win for either this evening could move them as high as ninth depending on goals scored.
TEAMS:
ELCHE: Tono; Suarez, Edu, Pelegrin, Botia; Sanchez, Perez, Fidel; Coro, Boakye, Gil
MALAGA: Caballero; Gamez, Weligton, Sanchez, Antunes; Duda, Tissone, Camacho, Morales; Juanmi, Portillo
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Elche XI this evening with Tono continuing in goal ahead of the experienced Manu Herrera. Carlos Sanchez and Ruben Perez also start in midfield. Malaga boss Schuster, meanwhile, has left Roque Santa Cruz on the bench, with Juanmi and Portillo starting in attack.
Elche made a fairly solid start to life in La Liga, but have struggled recently. They enter the match off the back of a 1-0 defeat at home to Villarreal last time out, while they have also lost to Levante and Atletico Madrid in the last few weeks. Their last three points in the league came at home to Valencia on November 24, when they were 2-1 winners.
Goals have been a problem for Elche this season with just 16 scored in their 16 matches. However, Malaga have not fared much better with 18 in the same number of games. Down the other end, Elche have conceded 22 times, keeping two clean sheets in the process, while Malaga have also conceded 22, but kept five clean sheets.
Due to the proximity of the league table at this stage of the season, any team that puts together a couple of wins can move into the top half. Granada sit 10th on 20 points, but that is just 10 points off the bottom of the table. Elche or Malaga could indeed move into the top half with three points this evening, or could drop just outside the relegation zone depending on other results this weekend.
Malaga, meanwhile, currently sit 13th in the table on 17 points. They have won four of their 16 league games this season, but all four of those victories have been on their own patch. Their record on the road this season is played eight, drawn five and lost three. They have also scored just six times away from home in the league.
Elche have also won four of their 16 matches, but two have come at home and two have come on the road. Surprisingly, they have scored 10 of their 16 goals away from home, with just six coming on their own patch. The indications are that we will have a low-scoring affair this evening with Malaga also managing just six goals on the road.
PREDICTION: Neither side has had the best of starts to the season, but both are just starting to find a little bit of form. Boakye will surely have a key role to play for Elche this evening, but I think Malaga have enough about them on the break to secure a share of the spoils. My score prediction is 1-1.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital this evening. The away side get the first period underway in Elche.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a strong atmosphere. Bright start from Malaga as Duda wins a free kick on the left, but his delivery is headed clear by Botia. Coro breaks down the other end moments later, but Caballero is out to claim. End-to-end early exchanges between the two Spanish rivals.
Half-chance for the home side as Ruben Perez finds some space outside the box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. The home supporters are contributing to a high-intensity opening to this match. Elche enjoy a period of possession moments later, but the move breaks down when Perez attempts to force it towards Boakye.
Another half-chance for the home side as Coro finds some space inside the Malaga box, but Camacho is across to clear for the first corner of the match. Botia makes contact at the near post, but the referee awards a free kick as Sergio Sanchez tumbles inside the box. The home side have just started to take control of proceedings with six minutes on the clock.
GOAL! Elche 0-1 Malaga (Camacho)
Malaga take the lead with six minutes on the clock as Camacho heads a Duda free kick into the corner of the net. Perfect start from the away side, who had started to threaten with a series of set pieces outside the Elche box.
You just get the feeling that the home side need to keep their supporters onside in the early exchanges. Malaga have their tails up at the moment as they continue to threaten with pace and numbers. Suarez delivers a dangerous cross into the Malaga box moments later, but Weligton is on hand to head clear.
Elche's positive response continues as Coro finds some space down the left before delivering a cross towards Boakye, but Sanchez is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Not too much from Malaga as an attacking threat since their goal, but they are being forced to defend. It is a real end-to-end contest at the moment.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of losing possession in the final third. Juanmi attempts to craft a chance for Malaga with a flick-on just outside the box, but Tono is on hand to collect. Elche continue to enjoy plenty of the ball, but are struggling to find that elusive pass.
It's bright work from Edu as the Elche skipper drives past two defenders down the left, but he is chopped down by Sanchez. The resulting free kick is delivered by Suarez, but Caballero punches clear. It falls for Gil outside the area, but his effort is wide of the post. Good response from the home side.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with the free-kick count continuing to rise. Malaga force the issue once more with a deep set piece from Duda, but Botia is on hand to clear under pressure from Juanmi. Plenty happening in the middle of the park, meanwhile, as the challenges arrive from both sides. Not a match for the faint-hearted.
You just get the feeling that the next goal in this match could decide the outcome. If Malaga were to move 2-0 ahead, it would be difficult to see Elche responding, but a goal for the home side would hand them the momentum. Just the one clear chance after 21 minutes, however, and it was taken with Camacho heading home from inside the area.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, although both sides are committing numbers in the final third. Elche continue to look the more urgent to make something happen, but there is no real care in the final third. Coro delivers another cross into the box, but Caballero collects once more.
More frustration for Boakye as the Elche striker tangles with Weligton just outside the Malaga box, but the referee points for a free kick to the away side, which brings groans from the crowd. Perez continues to dictate the possession, but Malaga are nice and compact with Camacho just sitting in front of his defence.
It's good work from Suarez as the Elche defender drives past three defenders before advancing to the edge of the Malaga box, but Camacho fells the right-back, picking up a yellow card in the process. The resulting free kick is taken quickly by Suarez, but the referee brings out another booking as he failed to wait for the whistle. That is a little bit picky from the official.
You do wonder where the goals are going to come from for Elche this season. Boakye, who is on loan from Juventus, has scored three times in the league, but they have not had a regular scorer. They play nice football, but goals are what keep you in the division. That is the difference between them and the likes of Real Valladolid, who have Javi Guerra in their ranks.
Another booking arrives as Gamez fells Coro down the left. The resulting free kick is taken by Fidel, but Antunes is on hand to clear the danger. A corner follows, but once more Antunes clears at the near post. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Malaga's one-goal lead remains in tact.
Suarez just needs to be a little bit careful at the moment as he clashes with Morales having already been booked. Boakye gets himself involved with Camacho moments later as tensions continue to rise. It would not be a surprise if the referee was forced to issue a red if the match progresses at this intensity. Elche continue to enjoy the majority of the possession, but they do not look like scoring.
CHANCE! Elche's best chance of the match as Boakye finds some space inside the Malaga box before slotting a pass towards Coro, but his effort is straight at Caballero from close range. That is better from the on-loan Juventus striker, who has been unable to really use his presence thus far.
The referee has let a couple of challenges go in the last few moments, which is not going to do him any favours when he does issue the next yellow card. Malaga pass and probe outside the box before Gamez finds himself down the right, but Edu is across to clear the danger. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining in Elche.
The home supporters are doing their best to raise the atmosphere in the latter stages of the first period, but Elche are finding it difficult to break through the final line of Malaga defence. In truth, the likes of Juanmi and Portillo have hardly featured for the away side, but Camacho's header remains the difference between the two sides. That said, I would be surprised if that was the last of the goals in this La Liga fixture.
CHANCE! Elche come close to levelling as Edu delivers a dangerous cross into the Malaga box, it bounces just in front of Caballero, but the Argentine is on hand to collect. Boakye was in close proximity and any touch would have taken it into the back of the net.
HALF-TIME: Elche 0-1 Malaga
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Malaga leading 1-0 courtesy of a Camacho header after seven minutes. That was the away side's only effort on target, however, with Elche dominating proceedings on their own patch. It is delicately poised ahead of the second period.
STATISTICS: Elche have dominated possession with 65%, while they have had four shots to Malaga's one. Two of the home side's efforts have been on target, with Coro passing up the best chance after bright work from Boakye. The referee, meanwhile, has issued three yellow cards in a high-intensity first period.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options in the shape of Aaron Niguez, Mantecon and Javi Marquez. Meanwhile, Malaga have the likes of Roque Santa Cruz, Anderson, Samuel and Darder in reserve. When you look at their bench, it is difficult to see why they have struggled this season.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Malaga would move into ninth position in the table, which is quite incredible taking into account their struggles this season. Can Elche respond? No changes for either side at the interval as the home side get the second 45 minutes underway.
Half-chance for the home side in the early stages of the second period as Boakye finds Coro with a through pass, but Sanchez is across to clear the danger at the vital moment. Elche continue to boss proceedings as Gil drives into the area, but once more Sanchez is across to clear. Surely Malaga cannot repel this type of pressure for the entire 90 minutes.
Malaga just cannot get out of their own half at the moment as Elche continue to pepper their box with a series of crosses. Their fifth corner of the match follows some good work from Coro, but Antunes manages to clear, before Gil's effort is blocked by Tissone. One-way traffic with 50 minutes on the clock in Elche.
Half-chance for Malaga this time as Portillo delivers a low cross towards Juanmi, but Botia is across to make a fine challenge at the vital moment. That is the danger for Elche, they are having all of the possession, but Malaga remain a threat on the counter. High-intensity La Liga affair with 53 minutes on the clock. Still Malaga lead courtesy of that Camacho header.
Malaga cannot settle in possession as Elche continue to boss proceedings in the middle of the park. That forces the away side into an early change with Samuel replacing Morales, which is not much of a surprise. You just get the feeling that Malaga will need to score again if they are to take all three points from this Spanish contest.
Just a reminder that as it stands, Malaga would move into ninth position in the table. That would cap an incredible turnaround in form in recent weeks. The away side have the chance to score a second as Juanmi is felled by Edu just outside the box, but the resulting set piece from Duda is straight into the wall. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Malaga to score their second as Duda finds Samuel inside the box, but somehow he fires high and wide of the crossbar from close range. That could have secured all the points. What a miss from the forward. It remains 1-0 Malaga as the second period continues to gather pace.
RED CARD! SUAREZ - ELCHE
Elche are reduced to 10 men as Suarez is shown his second yellow card for a really poor challenge on Camacho in the middle of the park. In truth, it could have been a straight red. It has just got that bit harder for the home side.
I said in the first period it would not be much of a surprise if the referee did indeed produce a red card in the second half and that has been the case. There are number of other players currently on bookings that just need to watch their step. Malaga have another free kick down the left moments later, but Duda's cross is cleared by Botia.
CHANCE! Another incredible chance for Malaga as Duda whips a dangerous free kick into the Elche box, but it just flashes wide of the post. There were three Malaga players in close proximity, but not one could make a telling contribution. This game could be over as Malaga continue to counter with pace and numbers.
Half-chance for the home side as Boakye meets a cross from Perez, but his header is just wide of the post. Elche make their first change of the match moments later as Mantecon replaces Fidel. The match has really opened up in the last 10 minutes or so. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals as opportunities continue to arrive.
Another half-chance for the away side as Portillo finds some space inside the box before attempting to curl one into the bottom corner, but it hits his own teammate Juanmi before moving behind for a goal kick. Malaga have had chances to put this one to bed. Both managers still have two permitted changes with little over 20 minutes of football remaining.
The pressure continues to arrive from Malaga as Duda delivers a low cross into the box, but Botia is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Elche break down the other end with Ruben Perez, but the Spaniard asks too much from Gil in a forward area. Can the home side force an equaliser with 20 minutes remaining?
Neither team can keep the ball at the moment as the match flows from end-to-end. You just get the feeling that there is another goal to come in this match. It is difficult to argue that Elche do not deserve a point. The home side make their second change of the match as Boakye is replaced by Cristian Herrera.
It's brilliant defending from Edu as the Elche skipper just beats Duda to a cross inside his own box. Caballero is called into action down the other end moments later and the Argentine passes the test as he palms at a cross before exiting his box and clearing the danger. No real chances in the last few moments, but the intensity remains.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Malaga to score their second as Camacho finds Duda on the break, but the skipper's effort is straight at Tono from inside the area. The Portuguese had three teammates in close proximity. Malaga make their second change moments later as Portillo is replaced by Angeleri.
Malaga are just about 10 minutes away from their first away league win of the season. Elche make their third and final change of the evening moments later as Niguez replaces Perez. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with both sides struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third.
Elche's frustrations continue as Malaga pick up free kick after free kick in the middle of the park. It is clever from the away side as they attempt to run down the clock. Carlos Sanchez is the latest Elche player to enter the book for a late challenge on Tissone. Malaga look long from the free kick, but Tono collects.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments as the challenges continue to arrive from both sides. Duda and Edu both receive bookings following a clash in the Elche half. Little over five minutes of normal time remaining, with Malaga still leading by the single goal.
Elche continue to deliver high balls into the Malaga box, but it is easy pickings for Caballero, who has been aerially dominant this evening. Penalty shout for Malaga down the other end as Juanmi goes down inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Little over two minutes of normal time remaining.
It is Elche's turn to call for a decision as Coro is bundled off the ball outside the Malaga box, but the referee is not interested. Malaga have a free kick down the other end moments later and play it short towards Duda, who keeps hold of the possession. How much time will the referee add on?
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the third of those. Penalty shout for Elche as Coro goes down inside the box, but the referee books the number 11 for simulation. Malaga make their third and final change moments later as Santa Cruz replaces Duda.
FULL-TIME: Elche 0-1 Malaga
So there we have it. Camacho's first-half header is enough to secure all three points for Malaga, who move into ninth spot in the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us tomorrow for more La Liga football. Until then!
