Malaga travelled to struggling Granada on Saturday evening looking to make it three straight La Liga wins.
The hosts had the better of the first period, but the two teams entered the interval on level terms.
Granada took the lead just before the hour, however, when Ignacio Camacho turned a Robert Ibanez header into his own net.
That proved the only goal of the match, with the home side recording their first league win since the end of January.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes as Granada welcome Malaga. A disastrous run of form has left Granada 19th in the table, but Malaga currently occupy seventh position following a strong season to date. Who will triumph here?
Right, first and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news.
TEAMS
GRANADA: Oier; Nyom, Babin, Murillo, Insua; Rico, Perez; Ibanez, Piti, Marquez; El-Arabi
MALAGA: Kameni; Rosales, Weligton, Angeleri, Torres; Camacho, Darder; Castillejo, Horta, Samuel; Juanmi
So there we have it. Experienced attacker Piti returns to the Granada XI this evening, while there is also a spot in the final third for Youssef El-Arabi, with Jhon Cordoba dropping to the bench. Jeison Murillo also starts at centre-back ahead of Juan Cala in what looks to be a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Malaga boss Javi Gracia, meanwhile, has selected Angel Torres at full-back ahead of Arthur Boka. Nordin Amrabat also remains on the bench, with Samuel Castillejo, Samuel Garcia and Juanmi all starting for the visitors. Ignacio Camacho and Serdi Darder, meanwhile, will hold the midfield once more.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Malaga have won three of the last five matches, with Granada recording two wins. Earlier this season, Malaga won 2-1 in the reverse match at La Rosaleda, but Granada recorded a 3-1 victory when the two sides met in this stadium last season.
Incredibly, Granada took eight points from their first four La Liga matches this season, but since then, they have won just one from 21 in the league. That victory occurred at the end of January, when they beat Elche at home. Last weekend, they welcomed Barcelona and put in a much-improved performance, but still lost 3-1 to leave themselves 19th in the table with 13 games to play.
That said, Granada have not lost too many home games this season – suffering defeat in just four of their 12 matches in this particular stadium. They have only won twice, however, scoring just seven goals in the process, which is comfortably the worst record in the league. That said, victory here would leave them just two points from safety. They have to start picking up wins at this stage of the season.
Malaga, on the other hand, are enjoying a strong season. A total of 41 points from 25 games has left them in seventh in the table. They beat Barcelona 1-0 in their last away league match, before following that up with a 3-2 win at home to Getafe last time out. As it stands, they are just four points behind sixth-place Villarreal and eight points off the top five. Gracia has done a fabulous job this term.
Malaga's away form this season has been strong – winning five of their 12 matches, which is the same number as Valencia and just one fewer than the champions Atletico Madrid. At home, Gracia's side have also been impressive – recording seven wins from their 13 games and conceding just 11 times.
PREDICTION! On paper, Malaga are the favourites, but football is not played on paper. Granada are the underdogs, but I just have a feeling for them tonight. They have played well in some narrow defeats in recent weeks and are certainly due a result. I am backing the home side to record a 2-1 victory.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Can Granada record an overdue victory on their own patch? It is the away side that get the first 45 minutes underway here.
It must be said that there is a strong atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. The Granada supporters have stayed with their team during their struggles this season. As expected, it has been a high-tempo opening couple of minutes, with both teams attempting to find their way in the match.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital here. Granada do not score too many goals, especially at home. Malaga break down the right with Juanmi, but his cross is straight into the arms of Oier, who looks for Nyom down the right. It has been an open start here.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last few moments following a couple of late challenges from both teams. Still no opportunities for either side in the early stages.
PENALTY SHOUT! Granada have a big penalty shout as Nyom goes down inside the box, but the referee is not interested. The home side are attacking with intent and numbers here.
BOOKING! Angeleri (Malaga) is booked for pulling Piti to the ground.
The resulting free kick is delivered by Rico, but Kameni flies across his goal to make the clearance. It is the home side doing most of the pressing in the early stages here, but we are still level at 0-0.
CLOSE! Granada gain another free kick in a wide area following a poor challenge from Miguel Torres, but Javi Marquez's effort is just wide of the post. Kameni did not expect the shot and he was well beaten!
Half-chance for Malaga to threaten as Juanmi breaks past the Granada defence, but the Spaniard was in an offside position. Granada's free kick count, meanwhile, continues to rise down the other end.
Piti takes over the free kick duties and flashes one towards the far post, but Kameni just does enough to push wide of the post. All the pressure is coming from Granada with 13 minutes on the clock.
Insua takes matters into his own hands after finding space outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Malaga have not offered too much in the final third thus far this evening.
Javi Marquez hits the post with a header for the home side, but the whistle had already been blown for a foul inside the box. You just get the feeling that Granada need to find the back of the net during this spell of pressure. There will surely come a time where Malaga start to turn the screw here.
Malaga have just started to warm to their task here, with the visitors forcing a couple of free kicks of their own. A deep delivery from Darder causes concern inside the Granada box, but Babin is on hand to clear the danger. Still no real chances for either side, but the tempo remains extremely high.
BOOKING! Torres (Malaga) is booked for a rash challenge on Nyom.
Well, 23 minutes played in Granada and the score is still goalless, but the home side have been on top. Nyom in particular is causing Malaga a lot of problems with his pace and power in wide areas.
Angeleri is a shade fortunate to escape a second yellow card for bringing El-Arabi to the ground in a wide area. Granada's latest free kick is delivered by Piti, but Malaga eventually manage to clear following a period of concern inside the box. The first goal looks likely to come from a set piece.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Juanmi has the ball in the back of the net for Malaga, but the flag is raised and it was indeed the correct decision. End-to-end football in the last couple of minutes.
It has been a stop-start match thus far, with a series of fouls interrupting the flow. However, the referee has attempted to allow the advantage when possible. Still goalless with 27 minutes played.
In truth, it is not too difficult to see why Granada have struggled this season. They play nice football in the final third, but they struggle for an end product, which has been their problem all campaign. The home side remain on top, but Malaga have started to offer a threat on the counter attack here.
CHANCE! Sensational goalkeeping from Kameni as the Malaga stopper denies Marquez's stinging effort from the edge of the box. The midfielder hit that beautifully it must be said.
BOOKING! Juanmi (Malaga) is carded for dissent.
Juanmi remains a threat on the counter for Malaga, but Babin is once again across to challenge the Spaniard, who needs to keep control of his emotions here. Still 0-0 with 34 minutes played.
BOOKING! Marquez (Granada) is booked for a high foot on Angeleri.
Angeleri is still down receiving treatment following that high boot from Marquez. It was nasty, but certainly not intentional. The Granada midfielder had every right to go for the ball there.
Samu tries his luck for the away side after finding space in a wide area, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. End-to-end football as we approach the final minutes of the first period.
Half-chance for El-Arabi this time as Insua delivers a super cross onto the head of the Granada forward, but his effort is high of the crossbar. Angeleri, meanwhile, has returned all bandaged up.
CHANCE! Granada again come close to opening the scoring as Ibanez's deflected attempt looks certain to nestle in the bottom corner, but Kameni is across to make another sensational save.
End-to-end football as we approach the final stages of the first period here. Samuel takes a shot on from outside the box for Malaga, but his effort was always rising high and wide of Oier's crossbar.
Juanmi, who has already been booked, takes out Rico, but the referee decides against further action. That was a bit of common sense from the referee. It was a late challenge, but not malicious.
It has been an entertaining half, but unfortunately a goalless one up until this point.
HALF-TIME: Granada 0-0 Malaga
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two sides level at 0-0. Granada have had the better of it in terms of chances, but have thus far been unable to make the breakthrough. Malaga, on the other hand, have largely struggled in the final third of the field here.
STATS! Granada have been in charge of the possession (66%) here, while they have had seven attempts - two of which have been on target. Malaga, however, have only managed two attempts - both of which have been off target. There have also been four bookings during what has been a feisty half.
BENCH WATCH! Granada have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Cordoba, Riki and Rochina among those in reserve. Malaga, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Alberto, Amrabat and Duda. Will either manager look to their bench at the break?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Granada maintain their high level of performance here? It is the home side that get the second 45 minutes underway. These Malaga supporters will be hoping for a better display from their side that is for certain...
Neither manager has looked to their bench at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains level for the next 20, 25 minutes here.
Granada were on top for long spells of the first period and they have started the second half in control. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be absolutely vital here.
CHANCE! Malaga come close to taking the lead as Juanmi collects a poor clearance from Oier before facing up to the Granada goalkeeper, but Oier does enough at the second time of asking.
Granada again threaten from a wide area as Nyom delivers towards the six-yard box, but Malaga manage to scramble clear. Moments later, Ibanez goes down inside the box, but the referee is not interested. It is getting very, very lively as both teams continue to commit numbers in attack.
SUB! Malaga make their first change as Amrabat replaces Samuel.
Granada gain another free kick in a dangerous position as El-Arabi is felled by Amrabat. The resulting set piece is taken by Marquez, but once again Kameni is across to make a really smart save.
GOAL! Granada 1-0 Malaga (Camacho OG)
Granada take the lead with 57 minutes on the clock as Ibanez's header is turned into the back of his own net by Camacho. The home side deserve their lead there is no question about that.
Granada have only won one of their last 21 league matches, but they are now in a positive position here. The referee just needs to calm proceedings as late challenges continue to arrive here.
BOOKING! Piti (Granada) is booked for a late challenge on Weligton.
SUB! Malaga make their second change of the match as Boka replaces Torres.
Half-chance for Malaga to level the scores as Rosales finds Castillejo at the far post, but his volley is straight into the arms of Oier. Granada lead 1-0 with little over 25 minutes remaining here.
CROSSBAR! Almost a stunning equaliser from Camacho as the midfielder strikes one from outside the box, but his effort cannons off the crossbar. It would have been some goal!
BOOKING! Camacho (Malaga) is booked for a late challenge on Rico. The midfielder is perhaps a shade fortunate to escape a red there - it was a very poor tackle.
SUB! Granada make their first change as Cordoba replaces El-Arabi.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and Granada still lead 1-0 on their own patch. Malaga have been really disappointing tonight, but you still fancy them to create a couple of chances here.
SUB! Granada make their second change of the match as Riki replaces Piti.
Not too much has happened in terms of opportunities since Camacho rattled the crossbar for Malaga some seven minutes ago. The home supporters remain in good voice with 72 minutes played.
SUB! Malaga make their third change of the match as Alberto replaces Horta.
Malaga need a goal, but it is Granada that are forcing the issue in the final third. You just get the feeling that there might be a late sting in the tail here. It has been that way for Granada recently.
Handbags between Cordoba and Weligton brings a clash between both sets of players. This has been a feisty match, with the referee doing well to keep all 22 players on the field that is for certain.
BOOKINGS! Cordoba (Granada) and Weligton (Malaga) have both been booked.
As it stands, Granada would remain 19th in the table, but they would be just three points from safety, which is a much healthier position. Malaga, however, are still not finished tonight - far from it.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as Amrabat delivers a low cross towards Juanmi, but the Spaniard cannot make contact at the far post. Any touch would have led to a goal!
Ibanez wastes a good chance for Granada, with the midfielder losing out to Rosales during a quick break from the home side. Little over five minutes of normal time remaining and it is still 1-0.
Murillo goes down with a touch of cramp for Granada, which is not too surprising at this stage of the match. The home side are preparing to make their third and final change of the match.
SUB! The change is made as Foulquier replaces Ibanez.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Foulquier to make the perfect introduction as Cordoba sets up his Granada teammate inside the box, but the Frenchman fires high and wide of the crossbar.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Cordoba to score a second for Granada after breaking through on goal, but he fires desperately wide of the post. Not great from the Colombian!
We are into the first of three additional minutes here.
CHANCE! ANOTHER chance for Granada to secure the points as Cordoba sets up Rico outside the box, but the midfielder is denied by a smart save from Kameni. Somehow still 1-0.
Malaga break forward with another quick counter, but it breaks down once again inside the box. Granada are almost there. It would be just their second league win in 22 games - incredible.
FULL-TIME: Granada 1-0 Malaga
Granada have done it! Incredible scenes here as the home side record a 1-0 win over Malaga. It has been some time since Granada tasted that winning feeling and their supporters are savouring it! They remain in the relegation zone, but are now just three points from safety. Malaga, meanwhile, remain seventh. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
