Cash-rich Malaga leave it late to beat Getafe

Posted on October 3, 2011 by SoccerPunter

A superb overhead kick in injury time from Julio Baptista completed a spectacular turnaround for Malaga who scored twice in the last four minutes to beat Getafe 3-2 on Saturday and take top spot in La Liga.

Malaga dominated the first half without creating a clear-cut chance and then after the break Pedro Leon put the visitors ahead with an excellent volley from distance.

Ruud van Nistelrooy then headed Malaga level but Nicolas Miku controversially restored Getafe’s advantage with a header which also came off his hand.

Malaga appeared to be heading for defeat before Enzo Maresca slotted home in the 88th minute and then two minutes into injury time Baptista acrobatically gave them the three points.

Malaga have 13 points, the same as Valencia, but lead on goal difference.

Their stay at the top may be brief, however, with the likes of Real Betis and Barcelona both playing on Sunday.

An early strike from Sergio Canales gave Valencia a 1-0 victory over Granada, the club’s first win in three matches.

Valencia returned to winning ways after a draw against Barcelona and defeat by Sevilla.

Canales gave Valencia the perfect start with an angled strike from the edge of the area after just three minutes.

Valencia piled on the pressure early on with keeper Roberto Fernandez saving Granada on several occasions notably from Roberto Soldado and Ever Banega but the visitors gradually came into the game with Daniel Benitez their main danger.

In the second half Roberto continued to be the busier keeper but his opposite number Vicente Guaita also got down to save well from Hassan Yebda and then minutes later Inigo Lopez hit the post.

“We are happy with the three points but there are things that we need to improve on like maintaining possession of the ball,” said Valencia coach Unai Emery.

“These are the points which at the end of the season can make the difference in whether you achieve your aims or not.”

Granada coach Fabri Gonzalez refused to criticise his players.

“I don’t have anything negative to say about my team as they played an extraordinary match and deserved more against one of the best teams in Spain,” he said.

Substitute Hernan Perez snatched a late equaliser for Villarreal whose poor start to the season continued with a 2-2 draw at home to Zaragoza.

Considered by many as the only team capable of pushing Barcelona and Real Madrid in the league they have struggled so far with only one victory in all competitions.

Coming into the game on the back of a 2-0 Champions League defeat by Napoli, Villarreal began the stronger but Luis Garcia gave Zaragoza the lead against the run of play.

Giuseppe Rossi brought Villarreal back on level terms from the penalty spot but the visitors went into the break ahead with Pablo Barrera scoring from another counter-attack.

In an open game Villarreal earned a point through Perez nine minutes from the end.

Two penalties from Tomer Hemed gave Mallorca a 2-2 draw away to Osasuna.

Miguel Angel Nadal took charge of the team following Michael Laudrup’s resignation in midweek and Hemed put Mallorca in front with a spot kick but Raul Garcia responded with two headed goals for Osasuna.

With 10 minutes to go Hemed kept his cool again from 12 yards to give Mallorca a point.

Racing Santander drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano with Raul Tamudo scoring for the side from Madrid before Adrian Gonzalez equalised on the hour mark.

On Sunday, Barcelona travel to bottom of the table Sporting Gijon still looking for their first away win of the season in La Liga after draws against Real Sociedad and Valencia.

“To win the title you need to win a lot of matches away from home. We are now faced with another very difficult game and it is down to us to break this poor run,” said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.

Real Madrid responded after picking up just one point from two games with a 6-2 win over Rayo Vallecano and then beat Ajax 3-0 in the Champions League.

They travel to Espanyol with Kaka restored to the starting eleven after a long battle with injury and loss of form.

“I feel a debt to the club for always having stood by me, it would have been easier to leave but I never considered that. I have the dream of triumphing at Madrid and I want to achieve it,” said the Brazilian.

Spanish La Liga results

Osasuna 2 Mallorca 2
Racing Santander 1 Rayo Vallecano 1
Villarreal 2 Real Zaragoza 2
Valencia 1 Grenade 0
Malaga 3 Getafe 2