Real Betis welcomed Malaga to Seville on Sunday looking to close the gap on Manuel Pellegrini's fourth-placed outfit.
The home side were ahead inside one minute when Jorge Molina headed home from close range, before Mario made it two with a similar effort after 28 minutes.
Betis had a glorious chance to make it 3-0 when they were awarded a penalty moments later, but Molina thumped the crossbar with his effort.
It was three moments before the interval, however, when Dorlan Pabon fired into the back of the net from close range.
The second period was just about as uneventful as they come, with the points secured for Betis in the first 45 minutes.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga live commentary of the weekend comes from Seville as Real Betis welcome Malaga. The home side have almost seen their top four hopes evaporate with a disastrous run of form, but their opponents this evening are odds-on to secure fourth position in the table. However, much is still up for grabs.
Betis have taken just five points from their last six matches to drop into eighth position in the table, but they are just six points behind Malaga. Betis have struggled on their own patch this season with five wins from 12 matches, in contrast to their away form, which is the second-best in the division.
Malaga, meanwhile, have also impressed on the road this season with five wins from 11 matches. They have taken 11 points from their last six games and still boast the best defensive record in the league having conceded just 21 goals, keeping 10 clean sheets in the process. Meanwhile, they have scored 37 goals in their 24 matches to Betis’ 31.
TEAMS:
BETIS: Adrian; Nacho, Angel, Mario, Amaya; Benat, Canas, Carlos, Molina; Pabon, Campbell
MALAGA: Caballero; Demichelis, Lugano, Antunes, Sanchez; Joaquin, Toulalan, Camacho, Isco; Portillo, Saviola
Here we go then. Just a quick word on the main team news. Betis continue with Pabon and Campbell in attack, but there is no place for Ruben Castro, who is on the bench. Malaga, meanwhile, recall Portillo and Saviola in attack, with Julio Baptista and Weligton both on the bench. The home side get the half underway.
GOAL! Betis 1-0 Malaga (Molina)
Wow! That is some start to this match. The first attack brings the first goal as Jorge Molina meets a corner from Benat before thumping his header into the back of the net. That is his eighth league goal of the season.
That is Betis' first goal in four games. What a time to score it against the best defence in the league. It has been a busy week for the away side with Malaga in Champions League action away to Porto last week, but they must now focus on domestic matters. Bright start from Betis as they continue to force the issue.
Malaga have just settled with possession after that explosive start from the home side. A reminder that Betis have not won in their last five matches in the league, while Malaga currently occupy fourth position in the table. Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but a decent atmosphere nonetheless.
Another half-chance comes to the home side as Toulalan connects with a Benat cross, but Caballero is on hand to prevent the Frenchman from turning into his own net. It is obvious that Pepe Mel has sent his side out to attack with pace in the early stages. Not too much from Malaga thus far with Saviola cutting an isolated figure.
CHANCE! Another fine chance for the home side as Juan Carlos drives down the left before finding Molina, but the Spaniard can only turn his shot wide of the post. That could and should have been 2-0. Malaga really do not look comfortable here.
Malaga do appear to have a Champions League hangover as they continue to hand possession back to Betis in the opposing half. Saviola finally gathers possession before finding Isco, but the Spaniard is immediately challenged by two defenders. Simply all one-way traffic with 12 minutes on the clock.
Despite Betis' troubles in front of goal in recent weeks, they have conceded just two goals in their last three games. No sign that Malaga are capable of extending their tally at the moment, although the away side have started to see more of the ball. Slightly low-key period to the match at the moment.
You just get the feeling that Betis need to score again during this second, because you would expect Malaga to improve as the match advances. It is a surprise that Baptista was not selected for the away side, with his pace and power perfect for this type of match. Not too much to report in the last couple of moments.
CHANCE! Another fine chance for Molina to score his second as he beats the offside trap before advancing on goal, but his finish was weak with Caballero out to make the save. The striker could have scored three goals in the opening 18 minutes.
The home side want a penalty as Campbell is felled in the penalty area, but the referee is not interested. That could well have been Given. Betis are just breaking with ease at the moment as they continue to find ways through this Malaga defence. It is 1-0, but it should be more.
Pellegrini does not look best pleased as he continues to survey from the touchline. It is rare to see the experienced boss so concerned in the early stages of the match. Despite Malaga's poor start, they are just 1-0 behind. Isco finally gets involved down the other end, but Benat is across to make the clearance.
Little bit of afters between Nacho and Joaquin as the former brings down the Malaga winger outside the box, picking up a yellow card for his troubles. For me, there was nothing in that. The resulting free kick is taken by Joaquin, but Lugano can only head over from close range.
Jose Carlos is again involved for the home side as he cuts inside before finding Campbell, but the on-loan Arsenal striker just cannot sort out his feet in time. Malaga have certainly improved in terms of their defensive work, but they still cannot find that elusive final pass. Just about 20 minutes of the first period remaining.
Malaga come close on the counter attack as Portillo combines with Saviola, but the former just runs out of room at the vital moment. Eventually Toulalan provides some support from midfield, but Betis quell the danger. This match is just so delicately poised as the first period continues to gather pace.
GOAL! Real Betis 2-0 Malaga (Mario)
Oh my word! Who saw this coming?! Again it comes from another corner as Mario rises highest in the penalty area before thumping his header into the back of the net. Malaga are deservedly 2-0 behind after 30 minutes.
Malaga certainly do not look like a team that has the best defensive record in the division. It is a long way back against a Betis side that are right on point this evening. Malaga just need to settle until the interval. Another goal and it really would be game over.
CHANCE! Malaga are just in tatters at the moment as Pabon comes close from close range, but Caballero is out to make the save. Another chance comes moments later for Carlos, but the Malaga goalkeeper is on hand to make another save. Incredible.
PENALTY! It just gets worse and worse for the away side as Betis are awarded a penalty with Camacho handling in the penalty area. It does indeed strike his arm. Incredible scenes here.
CROSSBAR! Good grief! The penalty is missed as Molina thumps his penalty against the crossbar. The striker attempts to fire in the rebound, but he cannot touch it with Caballero not making the save. Wow.
You have to question whether Malaga can get back into this match based on their performance up until this point. But they have been handed a huge slice of luck here following that penalty miss. What is happening? Teams in La Liga always score penalties!
Betis go in search of their third as Molina combines with Campbell in the box, but Antunes is across to make the challenge. Malaga really need to get to the half-time period just two goals behind. All it takes is one goal and they are right back in business. Little over five minutes of the half remaining.
Not too much to report in the latter stages of the half, with the away side just attempting to quell the danger. Isco is involved for Malaga down the other end as he drives into the box, but his final pass towards Joaquin is just too long and it moves out of play for a throw.
Half-chance for Isco as the Spaniard picks up possession before striking an effort from close range, but it was always comfortable for Adrian. It has taken 43 minutes, but they finally have their first effort on target. Not too much longer of the first period remaining.
GOAL! Real Betis 3-0 Malaga (Pabon)
Betis do indeed score their third on the stroke of the interval as Pabon's first effort is saved by Caballero, but the striker thumps the rebound into the back of the net. Where on earth was the marking?!
HALF-TIME: Real Betis 3-0 Malaga
Well, that was a quite eventful first period. Just stunning from Betis as goals from Molina, Mario and Pabon give them a 3-0 lead at the interval. It would have been four if the former did not miss from the penalty spot. Just incredible scenes in Seville.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the first period. Malaga have surprisingly had more of the possession with 54%, but they have managed just two attempts to Betis' nine. Malaga entered this match with the best defensive record in the league, but that is not the case anymore.
What about the benches for this evening? The home side have options in the shape of Ruben Castro and Damien Perquis, but I am not sure Pepe Mel will be too keen to change this team. Malaga, on the other hand, have the likes of Julio Baptista, Roque Santa Cruz and Lucas Piazon in reserve.
As it stands, Betis would move into seven position in the table, just three points behind Malaga. It would leave Valencia on 41, Real Sociedad on 40 and Betis on 39. What a race for fourth position in the latter stages of the season. Rayo Vallecano are also not out of it on 37 points.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. The away side have indeed made one change with Isco being replaced by Lucas Piazon. Can Malaga find a way back into this match? Or will Betis move to within three points of fourth? The home side get the half underway.
Excuse me, there was indeed two changes at the break for the away side with Julio Baptista also joining the action in place of Toulalan. Neither has had an effect on the early stages of this half, however, with Benat firing another effort over the crossbar from distance.
You just get the feeling that the next goal in the match - if there indeed is one - could decide the outcome. If Betis score then it truly is game over, but Malaga would just have a slight bit of hope if they could pull one back. But it certainly needs to come soon.
A half-chance arrives for the away side as Joaquin floats a dangerous free kick into the box, but Adrian is out to make the clearance. Betis come close down the other end with Campbell's pace taking him into the area, but he is just closed down by Lugano at he final moment.
Betis continue to pass and probe outside the penalty area, but Lugano gives away a free kick. Benat takes the effort, but he fires is over the crossbar. Campbell and Pabon must be given credit for the home side this evening. They have both caused all sorts of problems with their pace and direct running.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes with the home side comfortable in keeping hold of the possession. There is almost a lack of belief from Malaga that they can truly get back into this match. Little over 35 minutes of football remaining and Betis lead 3-0.
Half-chance for the away side to get one back as Saviola bursts into the box before attempting to round Adrian, but the Spanish goalkeeper just manages to claim at the vital moment. In fairness to the away supporters they continue to back their team, but bar a minor miracle they are going to lose this evening.
Decent possession from the away side in the last few moments with Saviola and Portillo both coming close from distance, but neither really threatens to open their tally. It is almost like a training match at the moment with Betis comfortable in slowing the tempo. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining.
The home side want another penalty as Carlos hits the deck in the penalty area, but the referee is simply not interested in awarding the decision, with the Betis forward picking up a yellow card for his troubles. Not that it matters too much in the general scheme of things.
If the first period was full of goals and excitement, the second has been anything but. The home supporters will not mind, but for the neutral, it is not much of a spectacle. We could really do with a Malaga goal here. However, not too many signs that could happen.
RED CARD! Malaga are reduced to 10 men as Camacho receives his second yellow card. Really untidy period of the match in the last few moments with both sides guilty of handing away possession in midfield. Strangely, Betis have not been that good tonight, Malaga have just been as poor as you could ever imagine.
The away side make their third and final change of the match as defensive midfielder Manuel Iturra replaces Saviola, who has never been given a chance to influence this match. That is a clear indication of how Malaga will line up in the latter stages. Containment.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and Betis continue to utterly dominate possession. I don't think you can underestimate how much Malaga's Champions League clash against Porto took out of their system. This is not the same side that has impressed in the league this season. They have been just so poor.
Half-chance for Betis to make it four as Carlos advances into the penalty area before striking an effort from close range, but it smashes into the side netting. Still no movement on the home side's bench as the final 15 minutes of football approaches. Betis really needed this win. That is for certain.
Half-chance for the home side to add their fourth as Campbell strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the target. Wonderful feet from the on-loan Arsenal striker is the build-up to his effort. Meanwhile, Betis make their first change as Juan Carlos is replaced by Pozuelo.
Betis continue to dominate possession with Campbell and Pabon causing problems with their pace and power. Malaga are not playing with a recognised striker at the moment and it is showing. They simply cannot keep hold of the ball. It would be fair to say that this has been their poorest performance of the season.
Half-chance for the home side to add their fourth as Campbell's pace takes him beyond the defence, but his finish is poor, with Caballero comfortable in collecting his effort. It really is like watching a training session at the moment as Betis continue to utterly dominate possession.
Meanwhile, Betis make their second change of the match as Campbell is replaced by Sergio Rodriguez, who is highly-rated at the club. Little under 10 minutes of football remaining, with the home side 3-0 ahead against fourth-placed Malaga. Even the referee has not had much to do in the second period.
The supporters have started to depart the stadium safe in the knowledge that their team is moving three points behind Malaga in the table. A rare attack from Malaga comes close to creating an opportunity as Piazon finds Baptista in the box, but Amaya is immediately out to make the challenge.
You do get the feeling that Betis have missed a trick here. They are going to pick up all three points, but they would have really sent out a message by thumping Malaga in this second period. Especially with the away side being reduced to 10 men. Not too much to report as we enter the final three minutes of normal time.
Betis make their third and final change of the match as Molina, who opened the scoring this evening, is replaced by Nono for the final couple of moments. Will we have another goal in the final stages? In my opinion, not a chance.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes of football at the end of the match and we are into the second of those. Bright finish from the home side as Juan Carlos collects possession from Pozuelo before striking towards goal, but it was always moving wide of the post.
FULL-TIME: Real Betis 3-0 Malaga
Terrible night at the office for Malaga as they lose 3-0 to Betis, who pick up their first win in seven. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and join us for more La Liga football tomorrow. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
