Last night, in their second league match in five days, Malaga played away to Osasuna in the Reyno de Navarra stadium and showed exactly why they are up there competing with the big teams in the top half of the league table.

It was an exciting and tense match which saw three Osasuna players (Puñal, Josetxo and Vadocz) and Malaga's Jesús Gámez being sent off and Osasuna fans throwing lots of 'objects' onto the pitch - one of which hit Luque on the side of the face.

Malaga's win could have been attributed to the imbalance player number wise, but they worked hard, stayed on top of things and demonstrated superior ball passing skills, despite having trailed 2-1 for a good part of the match.

The first goal was Malaga's and it came in the form of a penalty only four minutes after kick off. Sergio fouled Apoño who took it himself and made no mistakes. Just 12 minutes later Plasil evened things up by scoring between Giotia's legs. Still in the first half, Nekounam, with a clear shot took the home team ahead (2-1).

It took a while to come but in the 71st minute of the second half Lolo headed the ball in at the left hand post to bring Malaga back on an even keel with their opponents. Five minutes later Salva, who was later named man of the match, scored the winner after getting a pass from Cuadrado.

The remainder of the match was agonising, particularly when it came to light that there would be five minutes of extra time, but Malaga held on, got the three points, and are provisionally in position five of the league table. However depending on the results of the other league matches to be played tonight they might be back in their long-standing seventh place.

Malaga next play Deportivo de La Coruña at home on Saturday (April 25th) at 8 p.m. and then on May 3rd they play away to Numancia.

For confirmation on dates and times and information on transport to home games call Ken on 646 609 320 or 952 772 814 or visit the Supporters Club web site www.malagafootballenglish.com.