Eibar 1 - 2 Malaga: Roque Santa Cruz on mark as Malaga claim Eibar scalp

Posted Sunday, January 31, 2016 by PA

Malaga moved into the top half of the Primera Division after picking up a hard-fought 2-1 victory at in-form Eibar.

Juanpi broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time to give the visitors the edge in an end-to-end encounter and Roque Santa Cruz sealed the points by striking at the end of the second half.

Borja Baston grabbed a consolation goal for the hosts in the last minute of stoppage time but it was not enough to prevent a first home defeat in two months for the Basques, who missed a chance to go fifth in the table.

Malaga striker Charles came close to scoring just a minute after kick-off but narrowly failed to get on the end of a cross in the six-yard box.

Eibar then took control of the game and should have taken the lead when Keko released Baston in the box, but Malaga goalkeeper Carlos Kameni came off his line to beat the striker to the ball.

Japanese striker Takashi Inui also could have broken the deadlock as he tried to catch out Kameni from outside the box, but the Cameroonian was able to gather.

Malaga improved as the half drew to a close and took the lead when Juanpi backheeled Chory Castro's cross past Asier Riesgo.

Eibar went all out for an equaliser in the second half but in the final minute of normal time Santa Cruz ensured it would Malaga who would be going away with the points, the veteran striker making the most of the space available, racing onto a through ball and knocking it beyond Riesgo to make it 2-0.

There was still time for Baston to hit a 15th goal of the season in reply, but no more than that as Eibar slumped to defeat.