Fellow La Liga strugglers Deportivo La Coruna and Granada met at the Riazor on Sunday afternoon.
The visitors led 1-0 after just six minutes courtesy of a curling effort from Piti, but Jose Rodriguez levelled the scores 10 minutes before the interval.
The first-half scoring was not complete, however, with Lucas Perez sending Depor ahead after 39 minutes.
Both sides had half-chances in the second period, but it was Granada that levelled late on courtesy of Robert Ibanez.
Depor, meanwhile, finished the match with 10 men following a late red card for Luis Farina.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Riazor as Deportivo La Coruna welcome Granada. The fight to remain in the division is just fascinating at the moment and both of these sides are in desperate need of the points. Right, first and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news.
TEAMS
DEPOR: Fabricio; Juanfran, Sidnei, Lopo, Luisinho; Bergantinos, Juan; Jose, Cavaleiro, Lucas; Riera
GRANADA: Oier; Foulquier, Babin, Mainz, Insua; Iturra, Rico; Lass, Piti, Robert; El Arabi
So there we have it. Oriol Riera continues in attack for the home side, while Alex Bergantinos comes into the middle of the park. There are also spots in the XI for Juan Dominguez and Jose Rodriguez, but former Barcelona winger Isaac Cuenca is named among the substitutes for the hosts.
Granada, meanwhile, will seemingly line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation this afternoon, with Youssef El-Arabi leading the line. Lass Bangoura, who is on loan from Rayo Vallecano, also starts, as does the experienced Spaniard Piti, but Jhon Cordoba is only fit enough for the bench.
Deportivo have not beaten Granada in La Liga since the 1971-72 season – a run that stretches back five matches. Since then, Granada have won three times and the other two fixtures have ended in draws. Earlier this season, Granada recorded a 2-1 victory over Depor on their own patch.
Depor have had a difficult season thus far, with 17 points from 19 games leaving them in 16th spot in the table. They have won just four times in the league, but three of those victories have come on their own patch. It is awfully tight in the bottom half of the table at this stage of the campaign.
Goals have been a problem for Depor this season, however, especially in recent matches. Incredibly, they have scored just three times in their last 11 league games combined. Last time out, Depor were thumped 4-0 by Barca at the Riazor, but they have lost just one of their last three in the league.
Granada, however, have problems of their own. The visitors have picked up just 14 points from their 19 league games this season, with that total leaving them bottom. They have won just twice in the league this term, losing nine times in the process. That said, they are just three points from safety.
Not since September have Granada recorded all three points in the league, with that win coming away to Athletic Bilbao. They incredibly took eight points from their first four games, but it has been a serious struggle since then. Granada are now under new management, however, with Abel Resino appointed as the short-term successor to Joaquin Caparros, who was sacked earlier this month.
PREDICTION! This is a very, very difficult one to call. Both sides have had their struggles this season, but this afternoon could act as a catalyst for one of these teams. That said, I am finding it difficult to separate the pair in this particular match. My score prediction at the Riazor is 1-1.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Let's hope for a cracker here. The home side get the action underway as morning becomes afternoon in Spain.
Bright start from the home side as Lucas immediately drives down the left before delivering towards the far post, but Oier is on hand to collect. Plenty happening in the middle of the park early on as the challenges fly in from both teams. Positive signs - both teams look up for this match!
Depor continue to exploit the space in wide areas as Lucas delivers another cross towards Riera, but Mainz is on hand to clear. Foulquier is called into action moments later to clear a low cross from Jose Rodriguez. It has been a very fast-paced start as Granada break immediately down the other end.
Cavaleiro has the chance to fashion an attempt for the home side after breaking down the left, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Both teams are committing numbers forward early on.
GOAL! Depor 0-1 Granada (Piti)
Oh my word what a goal! Granada take the lead with seven minutes on the clock as Piti collects a sharp pass from Iturra, before turning and bending one into the top corner. Stunning strike!
What a super, super goal that was from Piti. Can Depor respond quickly to that setback?
As it stands, Granada would move out of the relegation zone. However, there is still a lot of football to play at the Riazor. Not too much from the home side in the way of a response, but I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals. It has been a very entertaining opening 11 minutes here.
Granada remain on the front foot as Lass delivers a dangerous corner from the left, but there are no takers inside the box. It is the away side that look most likely to add a second goal here.
Half-chance for the home side as Riera meets a deep cross from Dominguez, but his header was straight into the arms of Oier. Granada are down the other end with Robert moments later, but El-Arabi cannot convert the midfielder's low cross. Chances at either end with 15 minutes on the clock.
Another half-chance for the away side as Piti tries a similar effort to the strike that brought the goal, but this time his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Granada are running riot at the moment as El-Arabi turns inside the Depor box, but the ball just runs away from him and Depor manage to clear.
Well, these early starts on Sunday can sometimes take a bit of time to get going, but that is not the case here. It has been a super match, with Granada on the front foot since they opened the scoring.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Riera collects a deep free kick from Bergantinos before attempting to drill one across goal, but Babin is on hand to make the block. Still 1-0 Granada.
Juanfran has started to cause problems down the Depor right, with the Spaniard delivering some dangerous balls into the Granada box, but Babin and Mainz have remained strong thus far.
Another half-chance for Depor as Riera meets a cross from Juanfran, but Oier collects with ease.
Still no yellow cards at the Riazor, but there have been a number of tasty challenges in the last few minutes so we must be getting close! Granada are in possession with 27 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Granada to score their second as Piti finds space in a wide area before delivering a low cross to Lass, who was all alone, but Fabricio manages to smother at the vital moment. Granada are looking very dangerous each time they break with pace here.
Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining and Granada have been the better side here there is no question about that. Depor are yet to really test Oier in the away side's goal truth be told.
Half-chance for the home side as Cavaleiro finds some space outside the Granada box before attempting to fashion an attempt on goal, but Mainz is on hand to make the block. Lucas is down the opposite side moments later, but again the danger is cleared. Good pressure from the hosts.
GOAL! Depor 1-1 Granada (Rodriguez)
Depor level with 34 minutes on the clock as Jose Rodriguez converts from close range after Lopo's initial effort had been saved by Oier. Oh how the home side needed that before the interval.
The home side suddenly look in the mood, with Cavaleiro causing problems in an advanced area. Depor want a penalty as Jose Rodriguez goes down in the box under a challenge from Insua, but the referee is not interested. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining at the Riazor.
GOAL! Depor 2-1 Granada (Lucas)
Wow! The home side take the lead with 38 minutes on the clock as Lucas fires home from close range after Sidnei had turned inside the Granada box. What a turnaround in the first period.
Granada just cannot seem to keep the ball at the moment as Luisinho takes possession away from Rico before delivering another cross towards Riera, but Oier is on hand to claim at the vital moment.
BOOKING! Jose Rodriguez (Depor) goes into the book for a late challenge on Lass.
HALF-TIME: Depor 2-1 Granada
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Depor leading 2-1. Granada opened the scoring through Piti just six minutes in, but goals from Jose Rodriguez and Lucas have given the hosts the lead at the interval. It has been a very entertaining opening 45 minutes of action.
STATS! Both sides have had an equal share of the possession, but the home side have had more attempts (six) - four of which have been on target. Granada, meanwhile, have had just one attempt on goal. There has also been just the one booking despite a number of feisty challenges.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes of Cuenca, Medunjanin and Laure all in reserve. Granada, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Jhon Cordoba, Ruben Perez and Ruben Rochina - players that can make a difference.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the field for the second period at the Riazor. More of the same please! It is the away side that get the second 45 minutes underway.
No changes from either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that alterations will be made as the second period gathers pace here.
BOOKING! Juan Dominguez (Depor) goes into the book for a late challenge on Piti.
Half-chance for the away side as Rico delivers a dangerous free kick towards the back post, but El-Arabi had been in an offside position. Moments later, Depor are down the other end with Lucas.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Sidnei meets a deep free kick from Lucas, but the centre-back's header was always moving wide of the post. You just get the feeling that Granada need to score the next goal if they are to take something from this match. End-to-end football here.
Possession football from Granada in the last few minutes, but they are struggling to break through that final line of defence. Piti remains the most likely, but chances have been scarce in this half.
Piti stands over a free kick just outside the Depor box, but his effort is straight into the arms of Fabricio as another bright moment brings no reward. Still more than 35 minutes of football to play here.
BOOKING! Lucas (Depor) is booked for a late challenge on Robert.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to score their third as Cavaleiro delivers a deep cross towards Juanfran, but his low effort is just wide of the post. He had to score!
SUB! Depor make their first change of the match as Lucas is replaced by Luis Farina.
Half-chance for the home side as Riera finds some space outside the Granada box, but his effort was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining.
Riera remains a threat for the home side as the Spaniard drives past two defenders before attempting to fashion an attempt on goal, but Mainz steps across at the vital moment to stop the striker in his path. A third goal for Depor would place them in a very strong position here.
Depor again come close as Farina drives past two defenders before attempting to find the top corner, but his attempt just moved high of the crossbar. Not too much from Granada at the moment.
SUB! Granada make their first change as Juan Carlos replaces Lass.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Depor once again as Lopo threads an excellent pass towards Farina, who was all alone inside the Granada box, but the midfielder just cannot collect and Granada manage to clear the danger. All the pressure is coming from the home side at the moment.
SUB! Depor make their second change as Riera is replaced by Toche.
SUB! Granada make their first change as Rochina replaces Piti.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with the changes on either side interrupting the tempo. Little over 20 minutes for Granada to find a goal from somewhere.
Possession football from Granada in the last couple of minutes, but they are finding it difficult to break through the final line of defence. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this.
CHANCE! Another chance for the home side as Oier fails to collect a corner from the right, but Toche cannot make the most of the rebound, with his effort hitting Mainz. Still 2-1 here.
SUB! Third and final change for the home side add Laure replaces Jose Rodriguez.
Depor have made all three changes, but Granada still have one permitted sub remaining here.
SUB! Granada make their final change as Cordoba replaces El-Arabi.
BOOKING! Carlos (Granada) is booked for a late challenge on Dominguez.
Little over 10 minutes of normal time remaining and still Depor lead 2-1. In truth, chances have been few and far between in the second period, but the home side have been in control for long spells.
It just is not happening for Granada as another cross from Robert drops straight into the arms of the Depor goalkeeper. As it stands, the visitors will remain rock bottom of the La Liga table.
Good pressure from the home side as Juanfran delivers a dangerous corner towards the head of Toche, but Mainz manages to clear at the vital moment. Granada attempt to break with Cordoba, but the forward has no support and it comes straight back. Little under 10 minutes remaining here.
GOAL! Depor 2-2 Granada (Robert)
Granada level with little over five minutes remaining as Robert is first to react to a loose header inside the Depor box, before the on-loan Valencia attacker fires one into the top corner.
That has set us up very nicely for the final five minutes here!
You always felt that there was another goal in this match and it seems that Depor will be made to pay for some poor finishing in the second period. Little over three minutes of normal time to play.
RED CARD! Farina (Depor)
Depor are reduced to 10 men as Farinha is sent from the field for a horror challenge on Rico. Farina also appeared to put his face into the Granada midfielder following the tackle.
BOOKING! Rico (Granada) is also booked for his part in the altercation.
Half-chance for the home side as Toche meets a deep cross from Luisinho, but his effort is straight into the arms of the Granada goalkeeper. Little over one minute of normal time remaining here.
Farina slapped Rico in the face - that was the reason for his red it has been confirmed.
BOOKING! We are into the first of three additional minutes here and Cordoba (Granada) has been booked for a late challenge on Sidnei. Is there to be a late winner in this match?
Depor threaten with a corner from the left, but the whistle is blown when Toche jumps into Oier.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Granada to win it late on as Cordoba drives into the Depor box before rolling a low cross towards the far post, but Juanfran manages to scramble clear.
FULL-TIME: Depor 2-2 Granada
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the two sides sharing the points in a 2-2 draw. No change in their league positions, with Depor remaining 16th and Granada still bottom of the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good afternoon!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
