Malaga the victors in hard-fought derby

The first chance of this top-of-the-table clash went the way of the hosts. Juanpi, playing from the right but given licence to interchange with Dani Pacheco, cut onto his favoured left foot to whip in a cross for Gustavo Blanco Leschuk who got the faintest touch with his head to draw a fine reaction save from Cifuentes in the Cadiz goal.

This was one of very few moments of excitement in what was an attritional first half an hour of football with neither side willing to take too many risks. However, with half time approaching, Cadiz started to show why they are the in-form team in Europe.

First Dejan Leki had a tame header saved on the stretch by Munir, then the visitors were incensed that they were not given what appeared to be a clear penalty when Pau Torres blocked Lekis strike with his arm. Pau hit the deck feigning injury while the referee pointed for a corner.

The game opened up in the second half with Malaga taking the game to their opponents.

Blanco Leschuk got a lot more support as Pacheco, Juanpi and especially Jack Harper played higher up the pitch.

Pacheco came close with a low strike from the edge of the area before Harper thought he had given his side the lead when he tapped home the rebound after Cifuentes parried Juanpis side footed effort bound for the bottom corner. Unfortunately for the Scotsman, the linesmans flag denied him.

Former Malaga defender Sergio Sánchez, who had received a warm welcome on his return to La Rosaleda, was forced off with an injury in the 65th minute and this handed a major boost to the Blue and Whites.

Substitute Javi Ontiveros got straight into the action with some direct running and shortly afterwards released a fierce strike from 25 yards which proved too hot to handle for Cifuentes but there was no one able to pounce on the rebound.

The pressure eventually told in the 70th minute when Harper picked up the scraps from a corner kick and beat his man, before sending the ball across the face of goal for captain Federico Ricca to prod home. The manner of the finish was far from convincing but the ball nestled into the side netting and the Uruguayan celebrated vociferously with the fans regardless.

As youd expect against a side managed by Álvaro Cervera, the final twenty minutes were not going to be straightforward. Malaga coach Juan Ramón Muñiz could be seen repeatedly appealing for calm from the sidelines as the visitors threw men forward in search of the equaliser.

But although the ball spent the majority of the time in the Malaga half, the hosts defensive organisation meant that they didnt cede any chances until deep into stoppage time when José Ángel Carrillo headed over from six yards out, albeit from an offside position.

With the win, Malaga return to the top of Segunda, temporarily at least, ahead of their final game before the Christmas break next Saturday away in Oviedo.

The Blue and Whites will have to do without Alfred NDiaye who picked up his fifth booking of the season.