La Liga report: Malaga 0 Espanyol 2

Espanyol found the long trip to La Rosaleda to their liking once again as the Copa del Rey semi-finalists brought their recent poor run to an end with a 2-0 win over Malaga - although they were indebted to goalkeeper Kiko Casilla for the three points.

Espanyol took a 41st-minute lead through Alvaro Gonzalez's unstoppable header but looked set to surrender that when Malaga won a penalty seven minutes from time in an incident that saw Diego Colotto sent off for deliberate handball.

However, Spain international Casilla superbly saved Nordin Amrabat's spot-kick and then produced another top-class stop to deny Samu later on.

As Malaga pushed for the equaliser, Espanyol managed to notch a second through Sergio Garcia deep into injury time to seal their first win in five games and climb into the top eight in La Liga.

It was also Espanyol's third successive league victory at this ground and only their second away triumph since beating Malaga 2-1 in last season's corresponding fixture here.

There was little to separate the sides before Espanyol, who had lost three of their previous four matches and drawn the other, took the lead four minutes before the break.

Salva Sevilla swung over a free-kick from near the right touchline and Alvaro climbed highest near the penalty spot to power a header into the top corner, leaving home goalkeeper Carlos Kameni - the former Espanyol player - with no chance.

That seemed set to decide the match as Malaga struggled to get back on terms, but the hosts were given the perfect chance to level in the 83rd minute when Colotto spectacularly handled.

Javi Guerra's thunderous shot looked to be heading for the roof of the net but Colotto, standing on the line, jumped to his left to tip the ball onto the bar with his hand.

It was a save that any goalkeeper would have been proud of, but it earned Colotto a straight red card and also Malaga a penalty.

However, Casilla, whose spilled cross allowed Guerra the chance to shoot, made amends for his mistake as he dived to parry away Amrabat's low penalty.

Casilla then produced more heroics to keep out Samu's effort before Espanyol wrapped up another La Rosaleda success when Sergio Garcia slotted home Christian Stuani's pass right at the end.