Granada CF 1 - 0 Elche - Granada secure vital win

Posted Sunday, February 01, 2015 by PA

Granada moved out of the relegation zone after edging out 10-man Elche 1-0 at Los Carmenes for their first Primera Division win in over four months.

Abel Resino's men were rooted to the foot of the standings, having not won in the league since September 20, but Jhon Cordoba's 56th-minute strike lifted them above their beaten opponents.

Elche's miserable night was compounded when Damian Suarez was dismissed after picking up his second booking of the night.

A drab opening set the tone in a game between two strugglers, with both sides understandably cagey.

Indeed, neither team had a shot at goal until just after the half hour, when Coro's strike from 25 yards was caught by Oier.

At the other end Emanuel Insua, Piti and Lass Bangoura all missed the target with their efforts from outside the area before referee Jesus Gil Manzano mercifully blew for half-time.

The break did nothing to bring the game to life with neither side able to create an opening.

But the hosts did take the lead 11 minutes after the resumption with the first - and only - real chance of the match as Cordoba flicked home at the near post from Piti's low cross from the right.

The goal did nothing to spur either side into action although Elche's hopes of getting something from the game receded when Suarez was given his marching orders after fouling Insua for his second booking in the 70th minute.

Elche did not come close to scoring a leveller and Granada finished the stronger team, again without threatening to add to their score.

It mattered little as they comfortably held on for just their third win of the season.