La Liga wrap: Malaga close on third-placed Valencia

Malaga recorded an important come-from-behind 2-1 win over Espanyol in La Liga on Sunday, while Real Zaragoza shocked Atletico Madrid.

Manuel Pellegrini’s Malaga capitalised on Valencia’s loss to Getafe, with their win lifting them level on points with the third-placed side.

Goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy and Martin Demichelis saw Malaga to the win at Estadi Cornella-El Prat.

Philippe Coutinho had put the hosts ahead with a clever free-kick on 24 minutes, but the hosts were fortunate to go into the break ahead after both Enzo Maresca and Isco struck the post.

Malaga would get their equaliser, however, in the 76th minute, as substitute van Nistelrooy scored with his first touch.

The visitors snatched a vital win when Demichelis netted just two minutes later, striking home after Francisco Casilla would only parry Salomon Rondon’s header.

Malaga, who extended their unbeaten league run to six matches with the win, are now hot on the heels of Valencia in the chase for the final automatic Champions League place.

Meanwhile, Real Zaragoza secured a vital three points in their bid to avoid relegation with a 1-0 win against Atletico Madrid.

Apono’s stoppage time penalty, awarded after Diego Godin’s clumsy challenge on Helder Postiga, was all that separated the two teams at La Romareda.

Elsewhere, Osasuna consolidated sixth spot with a 2-0 win over fifth-placed Levante.

Raul Garcia and Nino netted for Jose Luis Mendilibar’s men as they extended their unbeaten run to six matches.

Athletic Bilbao failed to win for the third consecutive game after being forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to lowly Sporting Gijon.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side, who knocked Manchester United out of the Europa League, had Iker Muniain miss a penalty but still went ahead through De Marcos on 77 minutes.

Bottom-placed Sporting Gijon took an unlikely point from San Mames Stadium when Alberto Lora Ramos struck a late equaliser.

More to follow…