Getafe moved seven points clear of the relegation zone by beating fellow strugglers Deportivo La Coruna 2-1 at home.
Alexis Ruano and Sergio Escudero both scored their first goals of the season to give Pablo Franco's side a two-goal lead at half-time, but the Galicians produced a much better performance after the break and had several chances to score before substitute Toche pulled a goal back in the 78th minute.
However, Victor Fernandez's side created few further openings and they remain one point above the bottom-three, without a win in seven matches, while Getafe move on to 32 points and edge closer to safety.
Getafe played with more intensity and ambition than the visitors from the off so it was little surprise that they scored first, even if the opening goal did come from their first real attempt and with a touch of fortune.
Depor failed to properly clear a ball into the box and Emiliano Velazquez headed it back into the six-yard box towards Alvaro Vazquez. Deportivo goalkeeper Fabricio came out to claim the ball but could only send it straight to Ruano, who calmly finished into the empty net.
The visitors' only attempt in a sluggish first half was an audacious volley from 25 yards by Luisinho which flew over the bar, and shorty afterwards Getafe doubled their advantage.
Pablo Sarabia displayed excellent control to prevent the ball from going out and then played in Diego Castro, who returned the ball to Sarabia, who in turn rolled it across the box for Escudero to rifle into the top corner with his left boot.
Victor Fernandez knew his side had everything to do in the second half and acted by making a double substitution, bringing on Isaac Cuenca and Ivan Cavaleiro.
It led to a much improved performance from the visitors, who had a penalty turned down when a free-kick appeared to strike Castro's hand, and then Lucas Perez sent a volley high over the bar and later hit the side netting from the edge of the box.
Oriol Riera had the clearest chance to score after he was released by Perez, but he sent his shot inches past the far post.
In the end it was down to Depor's third substitute Toche to pull one back, the veteran striker turning in Cuenca's cross from the left in at the near post.
The visitors had 12 minutes left to find another goal but Getafe held on for the win.
Spanish LALIGA Standings
POS | Team | GP | GD | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Real Madrid | 36 | +61 | 93 |
2 | Barcelona | 36 | +31 | 79 |
3 | Girona | 36 | +30 | 75 |
4 | Atlético Madrid | 36 | +28 | 73 |
5 | Athletic Club | 36 | +21 | 62 |
6 | Real Sociedad | 36 | +12 | 57 |
7 | Real Betis | 36 | +5 | 56 |
8 | Villarreal | 36 | 0 | 51 |
9 | Valencia | 36 | -3 | 48 |
10 | Alavés | 37 | -10 | 45 |
11 | Getafe | 37 | -11 | 43 |
12 | Sevilla | 36 | -3 | 41 |
13 | Osasuna | 36 | -14 | 41 |
14 | Las Palmas | 36 | -14 | 38 |
15 | Rayo Vallecano | 36 | -15 | 38 |
16 | Celta Vigo | 36 | -12 | 37 |
17 | Mallorca | 36 | -12 | 36 |
18 | Cádiz | 36 | -24 | 32 |
19 | Granada | 36 | -33 | 21 |
20 | Almería | 36 | -37 | 17 |
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