Deportivo La Coruna 0 : 1 Malaga - Malaga edge past Depor

Posted Sunday, December 07, 2014 by PA

Sergi Darder's first-half strike was enough for Malaga as Deportivo La Coruna's winless run continued with a 1-0 defeat at Riazor.

Deportivo came into the match in the bottom three after five matches without a win and although they may feel unfortunate not to get a share of the spoils, they simply were not clinical enough in front of goal.

Lucas Perez, Juanfran Moreno and Luis Farina were missing for the home side, while Malaga had a total of five players out injured.

After violent clashes marred Depor's match against Atletico Madrid last week, when a visiting fan died, the club decided to cover up the stand where the club's ultras - The Riazor Blues - would normally be seated.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the Copa del Rey at the same venue in midweek with less than 10,000 fans in attendance.

The club set ticket prices at just one euro on Saturday to try and entice the locals in and those supporting the home side should have seen their side take an 11th-minute lead.

Helder Postiga was played through and was met by goalkeeper Carlos Kameni who dived towards the Portuguese striker.

Postiga left his foot in and although there appeared to be little or no contact, went over and was awarded the penalty.

However, Kameni ensured justice was done, with Ivan Cavaleiro's spot-kick to his left kept out before the Cameroonian bravely blocked the rebound.

Kameni was again to Malaga's rescue after 20 minutes as he denied Postiga, whose shot from 10 yards on the angle was beaten away.

And Kameni's heroics were rewarded a minute later when his side took the lead against the run of play.

A poor clearance from Kameni's counterpart Fabricio was seized upon by Darder and from 30 yards out he bent an effort into the corner of the net.

Deportivo created another good chance six minutes after the restart when Cavaleiro took a long ball in his stride before striking on goal, with his effort coming back off the post.

Duda almost grabbed a second for Malaga after 68 minutes, but from the edge of the area he fired wide.

Kameni almost gifted Depor a leveller dropping a weak shot, but the stopper denied Jose Toche on the rebound as Malaga picked up their first win in three matches.