Almeria welcomed Granada to the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos on Saturday looking to move clear of the La Liga relegation zone.
The home side took the lead after 14 minutes when Sebastian Dubarbier converted from close range, before a Verza penalty made it 2-0 15 minutes before the interval.
Almeria made sure of the points deep into the second half when Aleix Vidal found the bottom corner following a swift counter attack.
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 the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos as Almeria welcome Granada. Due to the proximity in the bottom half of the table, both of these sides are nervously looking over their shoulders. Defeat for Almeria could leave them in the bottom three at the end of week 17 depending on other results.
As it stands, the home side currently sit 17th in the table. They have won just four of their 17 league games this season, collecting 16 points in the process. Four wins might not seem a lot, but they failed to win a single game until week 11, meaning that they have won four of their last seven in the league, which is certainly not relegation form.
Granada, meanwhile, currently occupy 12th spot in the table. It might seem a secure position, but they are just four points above Almeria and five outside of the bottom three. They are one of four teams to sit on 20 points after 17 matches of the season. Right, let me bring you the team news with little under five minutes until kickoff.
TEAMS:
ALMERIA: Esteban; Rafita, Trujillo, Torsiglieri, Dubarbier; Azeez, Verva, Vidal, Barbosa, Soriano; Diaz
GRANADA: Karnezis; Nyom, Diakhate, Mainz, Foulquier; Iturra, Rico, Yebda, Brahimi, Piti; El Arabi
So there we have it. No Suso in the Almeria XI this evening, but Oscar Diaz and Helder Barbosa both start. Granada, meanwhile, have Youssef El-Arabi as their lone forward, with Piti and Brahimi providing support. Right, the away side get the action underway on this mild evening in Spain. Let's hope for goals.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a strong atmosphere. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive in this type of match. Almeria force the first corner of the match through Diaz, but Verza's delivery is headed clear by Mainz.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening four minutes, but Almeria have taken control of the possession with the likes of Verza and Soriano enjoying plenty of the ball in midfield. Granada, however, have been spectators thus far.
Just a reminder that Almeria have dropped into 17th position in the table after Real Valladolid picked up a point against Real Betis earlier this afternoon. Granada, meanwhile, remain 12th, but would move into the top half of the table with three points. Neither side has been able to test the opposing goalkeeper, however, in the early exchanges.
Just a few signs that Granada are starting to warm to their task as they enjoy a period of possession outside the box. Eventually Foulquier wins a corner from Rafita, but Rico's delivery is palmed clear by Esteban, who lands awkwardly following a high challenge.
Esteban receives a period of treatment, but is deemed fit to continue. Vidal demonstrates his electric pace down the other end for the home side, but his final pass is intercepted by Mainz. Still no real chances with 11 minutes on the clock in this La Liga contest.
CHANCE! The first real chance of the match falls to Soriano as the Almeria midfielder meets a corner from Verza, but his header just drops wide of the post. Moments later, Barbosa lifts his header over the bar following a deep cross from Azeez.
GOAL! Almeria 1-0 Granada (Dubarbier)
The home side take the lead with 14 minutes on the clock as Durbarbier turns home from close range following a deep cross from Diaz. It had been coming following a bright start from Almeria.
Granada just cannot keep the ball at the moment as Almeria continue to force the issue in the final third. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive. It is difficult to imagine Granada recovering from 2-0 behind, especially on the road. The away side do force a corner moments later, but Esteban palms clear under pressure from Mainz.
Just a few signs that Granada are starting to warm to their task here with Nyom and Brahimi both causing problems with their pace and power in wide areas. Almeria have another half-chance moments later as Vidal delivers a low cross into the box, but Mainz is on hand to clear at the vital moment.
Half-chance for Almeria as Vidal drives down the right before finding Soriano on the edge of the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Granada just need to ride out this period of pressure as the home side continue to force the issue. We have seen little from the likes of El-Arabi and Piti in the opening 22 minutes of action.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Almeria more than happy to keep possession in their own half. Granada have certainly been more progressive since falling behind, but have struggled to find that elusive pass in the final third. Still 1-0 Almeria after 24 minutes of this La Liga contest at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos.
Half-chance for the away side as Piti strikes a free kick from outside the box, but it just whistles wide of the post. Strange atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment with the tempo just dropping in the last minute or two.
PENALTY TO ALMERIA!
Almeria are awarded a penalty as Mainz clashes with Soriano inside the box, collecting a yellow card for his troubles. What on earth was the Granada skipper doing? He just pulled Soriano to the ground right under the nose of the referee.
GOAL! Almeria 2-0 Granada (Verza, pen)
Almeria have their second of the match as Verza slots his penalty into the bottom corner. The home side lead by two goals with little more than 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
In fairness to Granada, they are attempting to force the issue with Brahimi and Piti prepared to join El-Arabi whenever possible. Yebda threatens moments later after making a deep run into the box, but the offside flag had been raised. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
Wonderful noise inside the stadium at the moment with the home supporters rightly pleased with what they have seen from their side in the opening 34 minutes. However, one goal for Granada would put them straight back in the contest. The remaining 10 minutes of the first period are vital in terms of the final result.
Barbosa threatens from outside the box moments later, but his effort is high and wide of the target. Granada break down the other end with Nyom, but his cross is straight into the arms of Esteban, who has had a comfortable half thus far.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. A late tackle from Soriano gains the Almeria midfielder a booking, but the resulting free kick from the away side comes to nothing. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as Brahimi finds some space inside the box before curling one towards the top corner, but Esteban is on hand to make a fine save. How good has the experienced goalkeeper been this season?! Arguably the goalkeeper of the campaign in Spain's top flight thus far.
It's brilliant work from Piti as the Granada forward drives past two challenges on the edge of the box before winning a free kick from Verza, who gains a yellow card. The resulting set piece is taken by Piti, but Diakhate fires wide from close range.
Not too much to report in the latter stages of the half, although Granada have certainly dominated possession in the last 10 minutes or so. I shouldn't think that there will be too much time added at the end of the first period.
HALF TIME: Almeria 2-0 Granada
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Almeria leading 2-0 at the interval. The home side took the lead after 14 minutes when Sebastian Dubarbier converted from close range, before a Verza penalty made it 2-0 15 minutes before the break. Granada have had their moments, but have it all to do in the second period.
STATISTICS: Granada have had more of the possession with 59%, but they have had just three attempts to Almeria's six. That said, both sides have had two attempts on target. Meanwhile, there have been four yellow cards in an high-intensity first period.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Suso, Mane, Zongo and Corona. Meanwhile, Granada have the likes of Buonanotte, Riki and Pereira in reserve. It would not be a surprise to see the away side make changes at the interval.
Here we go then. Both sides join us on the field for the second period. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could decide the contest. If Granada can strike first, then it would certainly be game on. Right, the home side get the second period underway.
One change for Granada at the interval with Riki replacing El-Arabi, which is not much of a surprise. The forward struggled to influence proceedings in the first period. Not too much to report in the opening couple of minutes of the second period, but Granada appear intent on cutting the deficit as quickly as possible.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Almeria to make it 3-0 as Trujillo meets a corner from Verza, but his effort is pushed over the crossbar by Karnezis. That is a wonderful save from the Greek goalkeeper.
Good pressure from the home side in the last couple of moments as Soriano gains a corner from Foulquier. The resulting set piece is delivered by Verza, but Diaz's effort is blocked by Mainz, before Torsiglieri fires one straight at Karnezis from close range.
Granada make their second change of the match and it is a positive one was Buonanotte replaces centre-back Diakhate, who has recently returned to the team. You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals this evening. Not with the intensity in the final third.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to make it 3-0 as Torsiglieri meets another corner from Verza, but Karnezis is on hand to make a stunning save at the vital moment. Both goalkeepers have been called into action in the second period. Almeria perhaps should have put this game to bed in the last few moments.
Granada just need to be careful here as the chances continue to arrive for the home side. Another half-chance falls to Dubarbier, who had advanced into the box, but his low effort is into the arms of the Granada stopper.
CROSSBAR! Granada come within a couple of inches of scoring as Riki meets a cross from Brahimi, but his header rattles off the crossbar. Good grief there have been some chances in the second period.
Granada make their third and final change as Recio replaces Yebda, who has struggled to influence proceedings this evening. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining in Almeria. There is still time for Granada to turn this one around.
Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about in the last few moments as Granada continue to dominate possession of the ball. They have arguably been the better side, but have had serious problems in defence. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining in this La Liga contest. Still Almeria lead 2-0.
Riki continues to lead the line impressively for Granada, but he has not had too much support in the last five minutes or so. This is the type of match where the away side need Piti to shine, but that has not been the case. Not too much to report in terms of opportunities with little over 20 minutes of football remaining. Can the home side hold on?
Half-chance for the home side on the counter as Vidal's pace takes him away from the Granada defence, but he just moves wider than anticipated and Mainz is able to make a last-ditch challenge. Sensational noise inside the stadium at the moment with Almeria appearing to have overcome the period of pressure from Granada.
Granada want a penalty as Brahimi goes down inside the Almeria box, but the referee is not interested. It would have been harsh there is no question about that. If Granada are to rescue something from this match, then now is the time.
The home side make their first change as Diaz is replaced by Zongo for the final 15 minutes or so. Almeria have another half-chance moments later as Vidal delivers a low cross towards Zongo, but his effort is straight at Karnezis. What an introduction that would have been!
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to make it 3-0 as Verza finds Soriano inside the box, but Karnezis is across to make a fine save. The rebound falls to Dubarbier, but his effort is wide of the post.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, although Granada have not given up the fight. Brahimi attempts to craft something on the edge of the box, but he runs into a number of bodies and the danger is cleared. It has been a frustrating evening for the away side. Little under 10 minutes of football remaining in the final La Liga contest of the evening.
GOAL! Almeria 3-0 Granada (Vidal)
Almeria have their third of the match with little over 10 minutes remaining as Vidal collects a through pass from Soriano before slotting his effort into the bottom corner. He has been the star of the show this evening.
It is tough to take for Granada, but Almeria have been clinical in the final third this evening. The away side attempt to break down the other end with Piti, but his through pass towards Riki is cleared by Rafita.
Barbosa is next to try his luck for the home side as he finds some space outside the box, but his effort is straight at the Granada goalkeeper, before Piti is crowded out down the other end. Little over five minutes of this La Liga contest remaining.
Almeria make their second change of the match as Verza is replaced by Corona. Another half-chance arrives for the home side moments later as Corona stands over a free kick outside the box, but his effort is just over the crossbar. The celebrations have already started in the stands.
Almeria make their third and final change of the match as Soriano, who has been impressive this evening, is replaced by on-loan Liverpool forward Suso. The Spaniard has a couple of minutes to make his mark. As it stands, the home side will move into 14th position in the table.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Not too much to report, although Granada are not giving up the fight. Their attitude, if nothing else, has not dropped.
FULL TIME: Almeria 3-0 Granada
So there we have it. Almeria score three times without reply as they overcome Granada. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us again tomorrow morning for more La Liga football. Until then!
