UD Las Palmas came into tonight's game in Málaga with seven changes from the starting line up in their last home match in the Estadio Gran Canaria against Atlético de Madrid. Pedro Bigas felt discomfort in his knee, and was withdrawn at the last minute. His place at the centre of defence was taken by Aythami Artiles. Alberto Aquilani and Oussama Tannane made their debuts, as did Remy, who came on in the second half. The ex-Chelsea player scored the yellows' third goal.
Málaga and Las Palmas forgot all about the final they played in the Trofeo Carranza last month in Cádiz and instead focused on a match that was packed with nerves, due to both teams' shaky start this term. The Andalusian team took the game to their opponents in the early stages but were inaccurate with their build up play. Las Palmas sat back and tried to get the ball down. Aquilani and Javi Castellano tried to hold onto possession in an attempt to keep out the robust home team.
The first chance came with a weak header by Bastón which aroused the crowd. It was comfortably dealt with by Chichizola. In the 20th minute Las Palmas put together a good attacking move which ended with Oussama shooting over with a rising right foot effort. Manolo Márquez's team began to look the part. Gradually the away team's passing football began to take control. Málaga, meanwhile, were sure of what they wanted, long balls forward towards Borja Bastón. Las Palmas needed to be aware of second phase attacks. Chichizola dived to turn away a long range effort by Rosales. The game lacked quality, but both teams showed great commitment and effort.
Jonathan Viera nearly got on the end of another break in the 36th minute. Las Palmas were beginning to put things together and ruffle Malaga's feathers, who began to lose their way. Then Halilovic intercepted and poured down the left wing, playing the ball through brilliantly to Jonathan Viera who make no mistake. The ball seemed to take a while to go in, off the near post, but Las Palmas went in at half time with a deserved 0-1 lead.
Málaga got right back in the match in the first minute of the second half from a set piece. Diego González scored from a free kick, again in off the post and into the back of the net. We were back to square one. The goal lifted the home team and seemed to knock Las Palmas off their stride. Respect was suddenly gone and both teams began to surge forward. Gaps started appearing, and mistakes and hurried football started creeping in. Málaga pushed forward, but Las Palmas held them at bay. In the 62nd minute Halilovic hit the crossbar following another delightful through ball by Viera. It was to be his last touch of the ball, Remy taking his place down the left flank.
In the 69th minute Ximo Navarro send a great ball through to Jonathan Calleri, and the Argentinian shrugged off the challenge of the home defence and managed to put the ball past Roberto and put his side 1-2 ahead. Remy scored the third with just a minute to go. This was a great win for Las Palmas which turns their negative run on its head and sends them up and out of the relegation places following their stuttering start to the league with a fine win in Málaga. The goals were scored by Jonathan Viera, Jonathan Calleri and Remy for a final 1-3 scoreline.
