La Liga: Malaga climb to fifth

Malaga climbed to fifth place in La Liga on Monday with a 2-1 home victory over Villarreal.

French midfielder Jeremy Toulalan put the hosts ahead at La Rosaleda after just five minutes with a header, but Villarreal hit back on 16 minutes thanks to a strike from Marco Ruben past Wilfredo Caballero in the Malaga goal.

Both sides showed plenty of endeavour in the first half, and Malaga hit the front again five minutes before half-time.

Jose Salomon Rondon’s left-footed shot was well stopped by Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Lopez, but he could do nothing about Isco’s follow-up effort as the home side headed to half-time in the lead.

The visitors received a boost with 15 minutes to play when Toulalan was dismissed for a second caution, but Borja Valero’s resulting free-kick came off the crossbar.

Villarreal could not make their numerical advantage count as they saw their three-game unbeaten streak come to an end.