Malaga travelled to Granada in La Liga on Friday looking to build on last week's 3-2 win over Real Betis.
Both sides had opportunities in the first period, but neither could make the breakthrough with the scores level at the interval.
Granada were ahead in the early stages of the second half when Youssef El-Arabi turned home from close range, but Juanmi levelled for Malaga six minutes later.
The home side regained the lead moments later, however, when El-Arabi turned home from close range, before the forward scored his third after 77 minutes.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga live commentary of the evening comes from Los Carmenes as Granada welcome Malaga. As it stands, the home side currently sit 11th in the table having taken 14 points from their 12 matches. However, their form has just dropped in recent weeks with three defeats in their last five La Liga matches.
Malaga, meanwhile, currently sit 12th in the table on 13 points. They have won three times this season, but all three victories came on their own patch. Their away form will not really worry Granada this evening with four defeats and two draws from their six matches on their travels. Overall, it has been a poor season to date for the former Champions League participants.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, both have won two of the last five, with the other ending in a draw. As mentioned, the corresponding fixture last season ended in a 1-0 home win, but Malaga were 4-0 winners when they welcomed Granada in December 2012. A Segunda Division clash in this stadium in June 2008, meanwhile, ended in a goalless draw.
TEAMS:
GRANADA: Roberto; Foulquier, Diakhate, Murillo, Angulo; Iturra, Yebda, Rico, Brahimi, Buonanotte; El Arabi
MALAGA: Caballero; Gamez, Sanchez, Angeleri, Antunes; Tissone, Darder; Fabrice, Portillo, Eliseu; Samuel
So there we have it. No Piti in the Granada XI this evening, with the Spaniard continuing his recovery from the bench. El-Arabi does start, while there is also a place for Diego Buonanotte. Malaga, meanwhile, continue with Fabrice Olinga in attack. Samuel is also handed a starting role. Right, the home side get the action underway at Los Carmenes. Let's hope for goals.
It must be said that there is a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium this evening, which is good to see for a Friday night fixture. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of match. Fabrice is involved inside two minutes for Malaga, but his cross is over the crossbar.
Neither side has really been allowed to settle thus far with plenty happening in the middle of the park. Granada's first spell of attacking pressure comes down the right as Foulquier advances into the final third, but the Frenchman loses possession before fouling Yebda. Buonanotte delivers a dangerous cross into the box moments later, but Antunes manages to clear.
Penalty shout for Granada as Yebda goes down inside the Malaga box, but the referee is not interested. It would have been a harsh decision on Jesus Gamez. Malaga attempt to break down the other end with Portillo, but the Spaniard loses possession at the vital moment. Neither side has been able to create too much in the final third thus far.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with both sides struggling to find space in the final third. A deep cross from Portillo threatens for the away side moments later, but Samuel is the only target inside the box. You just get the feeling that there will not be too many goals in this particular fixture.
Couple of half-chances for Granada in quick succession as El-Arabi meets a cross from Angulo, but his header never had enough power to threaten Caballero. Moments later, Foulquier pulls one back towards Rico, but Antunes is across to clear. Malaga are down the other end in the next attack with Portillo, but his effort is straight at Roberto.
Neither side is too interested in defending at the moment as both continue to commit players in the final third, but chances have been few and far between thus far. Granada have the chance to deliver a free kick into the Malaga box moments later, but Rico's cross is headed clear by Antunes.
CHANCE! The best chance of the match falls to Brahimi as the Granada midfielder creates some space inside the Malaga box, but instead of crossing to El-Arabi, he fires high and wide of the crossbar. Poor from the number 10. Moments later, Caballero is forced into a save from Brahimi.
Not too much from Malaga in the last couple of moments with the likes of Samuel, Fabrice and Eliseu struggling for possession in the Granada half. However, they certainly have the ability to hurt the home side. Brahimi remains the main threat for Granada, but just the one clear chance has arrived with 17 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Malaga's best chance of the match arrives after 20 minutes as Fabrice produces a fine turn on the edge of the box before striking on goal, but his effort just deflects wide of the post at the final moment. From the resulting corner, Roberto collects under pressure from Portillo.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with both sides forcing the issue in the final third. El-Arabi has another half-chance for Granada as he strikes one from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the post, before Portillo tests Roberto down the other end. Still goalless with 22 minutes on the clock.
It's really good football from the home side as Foulquier combines with Buonanotte before driving a cross into the box, but it deflects behind for a corner, which is also cleared. Malaga are down the other end moments later with Fabrice, but the youngster loses possession before fouling Angulo. The tempo is certainly rising as the first period continues to gather pace.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Foulquier's low cross finds El-Arabi inside the box, but somehow the striker fires high and wide of the crossbar. How on earth has he missed?! That is the clearest chance of the match by some considerable distance.
If Granada had a striker that could put the ball in the back of the net, then they would be in business this evening. Piti is on the bench, but has missed a lot of football this season through injury. Malaga, meanwhile, are really struggling to keep their shape at the moment as the home side continue to close the angles.
Half-chance for Malaga this time as Gamez's cross finds Samuel, but the striker can only clip his effort wide of the post. It must be said that there is still a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. The home supporters have seen their side create a number of clear chances, but fail to open the scoring thus far.
Another half-chance for El-Arabi as the Granada striker finds some space outside the box, but he can only curl his effort high and wide of the crossbar. You just get the feeling that Malaga need to score first if they are to take something from this match. Their confidence is not at its highest that is for certain.
Yebda just needs to be a little bit careful here as he gains a yellow card for a late challenge on Tissone. It could easily have been red. The challenge allows Malaga to float a free kick into the Granada box, but Angulo takes charge of the situation and heads clear. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Nervy moment for Roberto as the Granada goalkeeper fumbles a cross inside the box, but Angulo manages to hook clear at the vital moment. Good spell for Malaga in the last couple of moments as they continue to press with two corners in quick succession. However, Diakhate and Iturra take it in turns to head clear.
Portillo forces the issue for Malaga moments later as he finds some space outside the box before attempting to feed Fabrice, but Diakhate makes a fine challenge at the vital moment. Not too much from Granada in the last couple of moments, however, with El-Arabi having a night to forget thus far.
CHANCE! Granada come close to taking the lead two minutes before the interval as Yebda feeds Foulquier inside the box, but Caballero makes a fine save to deny the Frenchman. Whatever problems Malaga might have, they certainly have one of the best goalkeepers in Spain between the sticks.
End-to-end football in the latter stages of the first period with both sides forcing the issue in the final third. A deep free kick from Sanchez comes into the Granada box, but El-Arabi is on hand to clear. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Granada 0-0 Malaga
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Malaga have had their moments in an end-to-end first period, but Granada will feel that they should be ahead at this stage of proceedings. El-Arabi in particular has had a number of clear opportunities.
STATISTICS: The possession has been shared in the first period with 50% apiece. However, Granada have had seven attempts to Malaga's five. Two yellow cards have been awarded, meanwhile, which is credit to the referee, with the number of challenges that have arrived from both sides.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Ighalo, Riki and Pereira, but the most obvious change would be Piti, who has recently returned from injury. Malaga, meanwhile, also possess attacking options in the shape of Duda, Juanmi, Anderson and Pawlowski.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. You just get the feeling that one goal could be enough to pick up all three points. Changes will surely be made if the score remains level around the hour mark. Malaga get the second 45 minutes underway this evening.
Bright start to the half from Malaga as Darder collects possession in the middle of the park before attempting to find Fabrice, but the youngster had just moved into an offside position. Portillo keeps the pressure on moments later before finding Darder, but his effort is wide of the post.
GOAL! Granada 1-0 Malaga (El-Arabi)
Granada take the lead in the early stages of the second period as El-Arabi turns home from close range after Rico had been denied by Caballero. That is El-Arabi's fourth league goal of the season.
It didn't quite happen for El-Arabi in the first period, but he has his goal in the early stages of the second. It will be interesting to see what response arrives from Malaga. In truth, Granada deserve to be leading at this stage of proceedings.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Malaga to level as Roberto can only palm Darder's effort onto the head of Samuel, but the striker heads harmlessly wide of the post. Poor from the Spaniard. The chances are starting to arrive in the early stages of the second period.
Neither side is too interested in defending at the moment as both continues to commit numbers in the final third. Buonanotte becomes the latest Granada player to enter the book for a foul on Eliseu. Change for Malaga moments later as Juanmi replaces Fabrice.
GOAL! Granada 1-1 Malaga (Juanmi)
Well that is some introduction! Juanmi has been on the pitch for less than one minute, but has levelled for his side after tapping home from close range. Poor goalkeeping from Roberto, who had fumbled a strike from Darder. Game on!
Seems to be a problem for Gamez here as the Malaga defender is caught by Iturra, who receives a yellow card for the challenge. Again the referee is called into action in the second period. The match has just exploded since the interval with both sides forcing the issue in the final third. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals this evening.
GOAL! Granada 2-1 Malaga (El-Arabi)
Granada regain the lead just before the hour mark as Brahimi drives into the Malaga box before finding El-Arabi, who cannot miss from close range. Good grief what is going to happen next?!
Half-chance for Malaga to level once more as Gamez finds some space outside the box before attempting to find the top corner, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Granada make a change moments later as Piti replaces Buonanotte. Popular decision with the home supporters. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals this evening.
The match has just settled in the last couple of moments - for the first time in the second period. Neither side is too interested in defending as both continue to commit players in the final third. Foulquier remains a threat for Granada with his powerful runs from right-back. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining this evening.
Incredible noise inside the stadium at the moment as the home supporters continue to raise the volume, which is helping their side. Samuel has a half-chance for Malaga moments later as he collects a loose ball outside the box, but his effort is straight into the arms of Roberto in the Granada goal.
Better from Malaga in the last couple of moments as Darder creates some space on the edge of the box before finding Samuel, but the ball just runs away from the striker at the final moment. Granada are down the other end moments later, but Piti cannot find El-Arabi, who had made a run beyond Gamez. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining in this La Liga contest.
Granada look to their bench for the second time as Yebda, who has been booked, is replaced by Mohammed Fatau. Plenty of pace and power on the field for the home side at the moment, which will help them in the latter stages. Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of moments.
Iturra just needs to be a little bit careful here as he continues to make a number of late challenges under the nose of the referee. It appears that the midfielder is on his last warning. Just a few signs that the home side have started to drop deeper in the last couple of moments as they attempt to protect their lead.
El-Arabi continues to cause the Malaga back four problems in the latter stages as his presence wins his side a couple of free kicks. However, neither of their centre-backs go forward, which is an indication of their plans for the final 10 minutes or so. In truth, neither side has been too adventurous in the last few minutes. However, you get the feeling that chances will arrive.
GOAL! Granada 3-1 Malaga (El-Arabi)
Granada have their third of the match with 77 minutes on the clock as El-Arabi slide under Caballero to score his sixth league goal of the season. Had he taken his chances in the first period, he could have had six this evening.
That has taken the life out of Malaga this evening. They had a strong spell after equalising, but Granada must be credited for their response. Malaga just need to keep their heads here as Sanchez dives into the back of Brahimi, picking up a yellow card for his troubles. Little under 10 minutes of normal time remaining.
CHANCE! Granada come close to scoring their fourth as Piti strikes a free kick from outside the box, but Caballero is across to make a fine save. Another change for Malaga moments later as Camacho replaces Samuel. A defensive midfielder for a striker.
In truth, Malaga do not look capable of turning this one around in the latter stages. They reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season, but this is a different team. They have struggled in La Liga thus far and it would not be a surprise if their problems continued all season. Granada? They can start looking up the table.
Granada make their third and final change of the evening as the hat-trick hero El-Arabi is replaced by Riki, who is yet to really set the place alight this season after joining from Deportivo La Coruna. One-way traffic in the latter stages as Granada search for their fourth.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments as Granada continue to keep possession in the Malaga half. Angeleri, meanwhile, picks up a yellow for a late challenge on Riki. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes at the end of the 90.
Plenty of strong performers for Granada this evening with Foulquier, Brahimi and El-Arabi all impressive. Piti comes close to making it 4-1 in the final minute as he strikes one from outside the box, but Caballero is on hand to make a fine save. That should be just about that.
FULL-TIME: Granada 3-1 Malaga
So there we have it. El-Arabi scores three times as Granada beat Malaga 3-1. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us tomorrow afternoon for more La Liga football. The action begins at 2.30pm as Real Madrid welcome Real Sociedad. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
