Granada claims precious points

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

GRANADA, Spain -- Granada won its second straight game under new coach Abel Resino after downing Malaga 2-1 from defender Inigo Lopez's late winner in the Spanish league on Monday.

Following an evenly matched first half featuring good saves by both goalkeepers, striker Odion Ighalo put Granada ahead in the 57th minute when he was left free to float into the six-yard box and head home Mikel Rico's cross.

Jose Rondon equalized for Malaga in the 68th, but Lopez banged in a rebound of a strike that goalkeeper Willy Caballero let fall inside his area to decide the game in the 81st.

Centre back Martin Demichelis left Malaga with 10 men from the 84th when he was shown a direct red card for a tackle on new Granada signing Henrique Almeida.

At the weekend, leader Real Madrid edged out Getafe 1-0 to remain seven points clear of Barcelona, which beat Real Sociedad 2-1.

Sevilla fired coach Marcelino Garcia following its 2-1 home loss to Villarreal, while the surging Atletico Madrid remained unbeaten under new coach Diego Simeone following a 0-0 draw with third-place Valencia.

Also, it was: Mallorca 1, Real Betis 0; Athletic Bilbao 3, Espanyol 3; Levante 1, Racing Santander 1; Sporting Gijon 1, Osasuna 1 and Zaragoza 1, Rayo Vallecano 2.