Spanish La Liga: Malaga pile more misery on Cordoba

Second-half goals from Juanmi Lopez and Nordin Amrabat saw Malaga comfortably beat Cordoba 2-0 to pile more misery on the Primera Division's bottom side.

The forward gave the hosts a deserved lead in the 48th minute and then substitute Amrabat came off the bench to score a delightful second, netting for the first time in 10 matches.

Javi Gracia's side tightened their grip on seventh place thanks to the win but things are looking more desperate than ever for Cordoba, who stay rooted to the foot of the table after a seventh straight defeat and are seven points from safety.

Malaga dominated the first half against a placid Cordoba and could have taken the lead through efforts from Roberto Rosales, Juanmi and Samu Castillejo, although the player to get closest to scoring was Arthur Boka, who struck the post from outside the area.

Cordoba found just one way through Malaga's defence in the opening 45 minutes and would have taken the lead but for an excellent save from Carlos Kameni to deny Nabil Ghilas.

Malaga got the goal they deserved just a few minutes into the second half.

The impressive Castillejo dribbled towards the area and drew four Cordoba defenders to him before dinking the ball over their heads for Juanmi to send it into the bottom near corner with a deft touch. The defenders appealed for offside against the 21-year-old but their protests were in vain.

Despite their poor performance, the visitors almost drew level just after the hour mark. An impressive team move left Rene Krhin unmarked in the box and the Inter Milan loanee's shot beat Kameni but was cleared off the line by Malaga captain Weligton.

Malaga were denied a penalty when Ricardo Horta appeared to have his shirt tugged by Fausto Rossi in the area, but they soon put the game out of Cordoba's sights.

Amrabat rushed down the left wing and then cut across from the edge of the area to arrow the ball into the bottom corner.

Fellow substitute Luis Alberto could have grabbed a third late on from a counter, but Cordoba were already well beaten.