Getafe travelled to Granada on Sunday looking to make it five wins from their last six games in the league.
Neither side could open the scoring in the first period, but Granada were reduced to 10 men when Pape Diakhate was shown a red card.
Getafe made use of their man advantage in the early stages of the second period when Pedro Leon's cross was turned into his own net by Granada defender Jeison Murillo, before Leon added his side's second after 55 minutes.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! The first of our four live La Liga commentaries comes from the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes as Granada welcome Getafe. The home side made a positive start to the season, but have really struggled in recent weeks, with just one win from their last five matches leaving them in 15th position in the table. Getafe, meanwhile, currently occupy sixth spot.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Granada have won two of the last four, with Getafe also winning once and the other ending in a draw. As mentioned, the corresponding fixture last season ended in a 2-0 win for Granada, who also took a point from the clash in the Spanish capital in January.
Granada, despite investment in the summer, have won just two of their eight matches this season, with that run of form leaving them in 15th. Their away form has been fairly strong with just one defeat in four, but they have lost three of their four games on their own patch. However, you get the feeling that they have the players to steer clear of the relegation zone this season.
Goals have been a problem for Granada this season with the club registering just five times in their eight matches, which is the worst record in the division. Luckily, they have been fairly solid in defence with just eight goals conceded, which is up there with the best in the league. It is not too difficult to realise where they have struggled thus far.
TEAMS:
GRANADA: Roberto; Nyom, Diakhate, Murillo, Angulo; Recio, Iturra; Brahimi, Buonanotte, Pereira; El-Arabi
GETAFE: Moya; Rafa, Lago, Lopez, Arroyo; Borja, Leon, Castro, Mosquera; Sarabia, Colunga
So there we have it. Initial reports were that Piti would return for Granada, but the Spaniard is not in the squad. Therefore El-Arabi continues in attack, while there are also starts for Pereira and Diego Buonanotte. Getafe, meanwhile, have the returning Lafita among their subs. Adrian Colunga and Pablo Sarabia, meanwhile, both start.
Getafe have found some serious form in recent weeks. They struggled in the early part of the season, but have since won four of their last five, with their only defeat in that period coming on the road against Real Madrid. That run of form has left them in sixth spot in the table with 13 points after their eight fixtures.
They have struggled on their travels, however, with all three of their league defeats this season coming on the road. In terms of their numbers this season, they have conceded 11 times in their eight matches thus far, while they have found the back of the net 12 times. Their top scorer is Adrian Colunga, who has three strikes to his name.
Let me just run through what we have to come in La Liga throughout the day. Be sure to join us from 3.30pm for the build-up to Almeria and Rayo Vallecano, before Real Betis host Elche at 6pm. The action concludes with an 8pm start as Real Valladolid welcome Sevilla. Stick with us and you will not miss a kick!
PREDICTION: It hasn't been the start to the season that Granada would have wanted, while they are facing a team that is full of confidence this afternoon. Both managers have named attacking lineups and therefore I am expecting goals. That said, I am backing Getafe to pick up another three points.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have bee exchanged. Not a full house inside the stadium this afternoon, but there is a strong atmosphere. Let's hope for entertainment as the home side get the action underway on this mild afternoon at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes.
Bright start from Granada as Pereira wins a corner from Rafa down the right. The resulting set piece is whipped into the area by Recio, but Borja is on hand to clear. It falls to Iturra, but his effort is high and wide of the target. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if we indeed have one - will be crucial in this type of match.
CHANCE! Getafe have not been allowed to settle thus far with Granada forcing the issue in the early stages. Another corner arrives for the home side with Buonanotte finding Brahimi in the box, but his volley is high and wide of the crossbar. Great chance for Granada to open the scoring with four minutes on the clock.
Getafe's first attack comes down the right as Leon gathers possession before delivering a low cross into the box, but Nyom is across to clear the danger. Diego Castro has a sight of goal moments later as he meets a cross from Mosquera, but Angulo is across to challenge at the vital moment. Fairly low-key start to proceedings this afternoon.
The referee has been called into action to deal with a couple of late challenges in the last minute or two, but he is yet to produce a card. Getafe have just started to gain a period of possession in midfield, but Granada look the most dangerous in forward areas with the pace and movement of Buonanotte and El-Arabi.
Granada continue to force the issue in the Getafe half as Angulo drives down the right before finding Iturra outside the box, but Borja is across to clear the danger. The home side continue to play the better football in the final third, but they are struggling to find a way through this stern Getafe defence. Still goalless with 10 minutes on the clock.
Diakhate becomes the first player to enter the book for a really poor challenge on Castro outside the box. The foul presents Leon with the opportunity to deliver a cross into the box, but Roberto comes to collect under pressure from Mosquera. Just a couple of signs that the away side are starting to warm to the task this afternoon.
Half-chance for Colunga as the Getafe striker is found by Lago, but his effort is blocked by Angulo. It falls to Sarabia outside the box, but his strike is collected by Roberto. Suddenly Granada are struggling to find their tempo in the final third. Both managers are on the touchline as they issue instructions.
Not too much for either set of supporters to get excited about in the last couple of moments with both teams struggling to keep hold of possession in the final third. Just a reminder that Granada currently sit 15th in the table, while Getafe are sixth. Still goalless with 17 minutes on the clock at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes.
Half-chance for Pereira as the Frenchman finds some space outside the Getafe box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but it just moves wide of the post. From the resulting goal kick, Getafe break with Colunga, but he asks too much from Leon in a wide area. It is a little bit untidy in the final third at the moment.
Good spell for the home side in the last couple of moments with the likes of El-Arabi and Buonanotte forcing the issue in the final third. Nyom is on hand to deliver a dangerous cross into the box moments later, but Colunga is on hand to clear the danger. Just the one clear chance for the home side after 22 minutes of La Liga football this afternoon.
In truth, a draw would not be the worst result for either of these two sides. However, if Getafe are to push for a place in Europe this season, these are the games that they have to win. Diakhate is in the wars again moments later as he falls to the ground holding his shoulder, before Buonanotte clashes with Borja. Untidy in the middle of the park at the moment.
Granada force a free kick outside the Getafe box as Buonanotte tumbles, but the resulting set piece is cleared by Lopez. Neither goalkeeper has been called into action thus far, but both sides have demonstrated their willingness to commit players forward. Still goalless with 27 minutes on the clock.
Tactically, both sides have been impressive thus far, but neither is really forcing the issue in the final third. Meanwhile, the foul count continues to rise with the referee called into action. The atmosphere inside the stadium has also dropped. It is almost as if everyone is waitin for something to happen. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
RED CARD! Diakhate (Granada)
Granada have lost their skipper as Diakhate is awarded his second yellow card for an elbow on Castro. What was he doing?! Granada must play the remainder of this match with 10 men. Getafe also now have a free kick in a dangerous position.
Buonanotte is also handed a booking for dissent. The resulting free kick is whipped into the box by Rafa, but Nyom is on hand to clear the danger. Moments later, Granada are forced into a change as Mainz replaces Buonanotte, which is not a popular decision.
Well, not too much has happened in the final third thus far, but Getafe have been given a real boost here. Granada need to be really careful here as their players continue to become involved with the referee. Two corners arrive for Getafe in quick succession, but the danger is cleared. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Granada force the issue down the right as Brahimi wins a corner, but the resulting set piece is straight into the arms of Moya. The referee continues to become involved, meanwhile, as the challenges fly in from both sides. Another free kick comes to Getafe, but Leon's delivery, for once, is poor.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with both sides struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third. Getafe have been unable to make their one-man advantage count thus far. Little under five minutes of the first period remaining.
Nyom, who has taken the armband for the home side, continues to become involved down the right, but he is struggling for options in the final third. Getafe break down the other end with Mosquera, but he cannot find Castro in the Granada box. Still goalless with 43 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Getafe's best chance of the first period comes to Sarabia as the Spaniard meets a through pass from Castro, but he can only turn wide of the post. You just get the feeling that Granada need to keep things tight until the interval. They already face an uphill task in the second period.
HALF TIME: Granada 0-0 Getafe
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. In truth, neither side has created too much of note in the final third. The major incident occured just past the 30-minute mark when Diakhate was shown a red card for a second bookable offence. That has left Granada with a mountain to climb in the second period.
STATISTICS: Both sides have had 50% of the possession in the first period, but Getafe have had more of the action in the final third with five attempts to Granada's three. You just get the feeling that the home side will attempt to hold onto a point in the second period, but Getafe started to boss proceedings in the latter stages of the first half.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have already been forced into one change with Spanish defender Mainz replacing Buonanotte for tactical reasons. However, they still have the likes of Riki and Yebda in reserve. Getafe, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Romanian striker Marica, as well as Gavilan and Lafita.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. If Getafe open the scoring, you would have to fancy them to take all the points. However, Granada still have players on the pitch capable of causing problems. The away side get the second 45 minutes underway.
Getafe made one change at the interval with Marica, who recently joined on a free transfer, replacing Borja. That is certainly an attacking change. His introduction brings a half-chance to his strike partner Colunga, but the Spaniard can only rattle his effort into the side netting. It could be a long half for Granada.
GOAL! Granada 0-1 Getafe (Murillo OG)
Getafe take the lead with 47 minutes on the clock as Murillo turns into his own net following a dangerous cross from Leon. It has silenced the stadium. Granada simply have to respond, which will leave gaps in their defence.
Granada need to be really careful here as they continue to fly into challenges, which is not going down well with the referee. El-Arabi attempts to force the issue as he drives into the Getafe box, but he runs into a number of green shirts. Granada have lost 1-0 three times on their own patch already this season.
The attendance this afternoon has been confirmed at little over 13,000 and Granada will need their supporters to help them in the final 40 minutes of this match. Another half-chance comes on the counter for Getafe as Sarabia bursts beyond two defenders, but he just loses control at the vital moment, before Pereira's low cross is cleared by Lago down the other end.
It's bright work from Angulo as the Granada defender finds some space inside the box before testing Roberto, but Lago is on hand to sweep clear. The resulting corner presents a heading chance to El-Arabi, but his effort is straight into the arms of Moya. Little over 35 minutes of football remaining in this La Liga contest.
GOAL! Granada 0-2 Getafe (Leon)
Getafe have their second of the afternoon as Leon thumps a powerful effort into the top corner. That could be enough to secure all the points for the away side. Granada respond with a change as the returning Piti replaces Recio. All or nothing for Granada in the second period.
Half-chance for the home side as Pereira's dangerous cross causes concern in the Getafe box, but Rafa manages to turn over his own crossbar under pressure from El-Arabi. The resulting corner falls to Piti, but his effort is high and wide of the target. End-to-end match at the moment with little over 30 minutes of football remaining.
Getafe make their second change of the match as Sarabia is replaced by Gavilan. The away side's squad has been criticised at times in recent seasons, but they have a very strong group this time around. Another Leon free kick causes a problem in the Granada box moments later, but Roberto clears.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Nyom drives a low cross into the box, but Roberto is on hand to collect. Not too much to report in terms of Getafe pressure, however, with the away side prepared to keep possession of the ball. As it stands, they are heading for fifth position in the table.
Half-chance for Granada once more as Brahimi slides a low pass behond the Getafe defence, but Rafa just manages to clear at the vital moment, with El-Arabi on hand to slide home. Pereira attempts the spectacular moments later as he hits one from outside the box, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar.
One-way traffic as Granada continue to force the issue in the final third, but they are really struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third. Getafe, meanwhile, are more intent on keeping possession than searching for their third, which would certainly make sure of all the points.
Finally another opportunity comes to the away side as Colunga collects a loose ball outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Not too much of an atmosphere inside the stadium, but one goal for Granada would open this match up. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining this afternoon.
Marica goes down inside the Granada box, but the referee is not interested. Two successive corners arrive for the away side, but the first is headed behind his own crossbar by Nyom, before Leon curls an effort high and wide of the crossbar. Comfortable for Getafe as they move closer to another three points. As it stands, they will move into fifth spot in the table.
The Granada supporters are doing their best to raise the tempo on the pitch, but Getafe continue to make use of the extra man by keeping hold of the ball. It was a close affair in the first period, but that has not been the case in the second half. Getafe make their third and final change moments later as the impressive Leon is replaced by Michel.
CHANCE! Granada's best chance of the second period arrives for Piti, but the former Rayo Vallecano striker cannot make proper contact on a cross from Pereira, with Moya on hand to collect. Getafe have the ball in the back of the net moments later, but Marica is ruled offside.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last few moments with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Nyom is the latest to upset the referee with a challenge on Marica, but no action is taken. Little over 10 minutes for Granada to turn this one around. One goal would certainly raise the atmosphere inside the stadium.
Rico attempts to take matters into his own hands for Granada, but his effort is wide of the post. Getafe are down the other end with Colunga moments later, but he cannot evade the challenge of Angulo. The home supporters are already making their way toward the exits, which is strange at this point of the game.
Roberto Lago becomes the latest Getafe player to enter the book for a late challenge on Piti just outside the penalty area. The resulting set piece is taken by Piti, but his effort is straight into the arms of Moya. It must be said that it is a surprise that Riki has not been introduced as his side continue their search for a goal.
Half-chance for Getafe to score their third of the afternoon as Mosquera drives a low cross into the box, but Angulo is on hand to clear the danger under pressure from Marica. In truth, not too much has happened since Getafe scored their second. The red card certainly changed the outcome of this match.
Iturra has an effort from distance moments later, but Moya is on hand to collect. Riko has a similiar strike in the next attack, but once more the Getafe goalkeeper is untroubled. It has been as comfortable a second period as Getafe could have hoped for.
CROSSBAR! Getafe come within an inch of scoring their third in stoppage time, but Marica's effort rattles off the crossbar. We are into the second minute of injury time this afternoon. Getafe are indeed heading for fifth spot in the table.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Granada to open their tally in stoppage time as Iturra advances through on goal, but he can only turn his effort into the side netting. That sums up the home side's afternoon.
FULL TIME: Granada 0-2 Getafe
So there we have it. Getafe continue their strong run of form with another three points, with Granada losing their fourth home match of the season. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us from 3.30pm for Almeria against Rayo Vallecano. Until then!
