Almeria boost survival bid

Almeria gave themselves a great chance of avoiding relegation with a 2-0 victory over fellow strugglers Granada.

Almeria gave themselves a great chance of avoiding relegation from the Primera Division with a 2-0 victory over fellow strugglers Granada. Almeria had climbed out of the bottom three with two straight wins and made it three thanks to penalties from Verza and Aleix Vidal. That lifted them three points above the relegation zone with only one game remaining and a point ahead of Granada, who had Jeison Murillo sent off. Granada had the first sight of goal in the 12th minute but Piti's shot from the right was comfortably saved by Esteban. Seven minutes later the visitors took the lead through Verza's placed penalty, awarded after Fran Rico had fouled the same player. There was plenty at stake for both teams but it was Almeria who were doing most of the pressing. Granada had a good spell at the end of the second half, though, with Rico heading over the bar in the 38th minute. The same player came closer still four minutes later with a shot from outside the box that was very well saved by Esteban. The hosts continued to look the more dangerous after the break and Tiago Ilori might have done better with a close-range header from a free-kick in the 70th minute. But their hopes of taking anything from the game were ended in the 84th minute when Vidal put Almeria two up with another penalty. Murillo fouled Ramon Azeez and then saw red for foul and abusive language. With Verza having been substituted, Vidal stepped up and found the bottom corner.