Santa Cruz rescues point for Malaga

Cop shot

Las Palmas tried to take the game to Malaga, lifted by the battling 2-2 display at San Mames last weekend, but ran into a well-organised visiting defence.

For all their possession, it was Malaga who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half. Recio’s freekick over the wall was parried by Javi Varas and Duje Cop wastefully booted the follow up over the bar.

Chory Castro debut

Malaga coach Javi Gracia gave new signing Chory Castro his debut on the left wing with numerous players sidelined through injury and suspension.

The Uruguayan almost set up the opener at the start of the second half.  He drove to the byline and crossed for Roque Santa Cruz, but the Paraguayan, in for suspended top scorer Charles, headed wide of the far post. Castro was later substituted off with an injury.

Tana three in three

Las Palmas attacking midfielder Tana had already tried his luck from distance once after the re-start when he fired just wide of Carlos Kameni’s right-hand post.

In the 51st minute he tried again and this time he found his bearings. From the edge of the area he fired low to Kameni’s right for his third goal in as many games.

¡GOOOOOOL! GOOOOOOOOOOL de @tanadp_24!!! 50' #LPAvMCF (1-0) ¡vaaaaaamos UD! pic.twitter.com/00dhs2sx7D

— UD Las Palmas (@UDLP_Oficial) January 10, 2016

Kameni save and Santa Cruz equaliser

Malaga keeper Kameni kept his side in the game with a one-handed save to deny Jonathan Viera after 61 minutes, but as Las Palmas looked to be running away with the game, the visitors scored with a sucker punch.

Santa Cruz chested down a long ball to Cop, the Croatian returned the ball in the area, and the 34-year-old made amends for his earlier miss with the equaliser, his first goal of the season.

1-1 Min71| ¡GOL GOL GOL GOL GOL GOL GOL GOOOOOOOOL DE @RoqueSantaCruz! ¡GOOOOOOOOOL DEL #MálagaCF! #LPAvMCF #MCFLive pic.twitter.com/QK8uO9zUx6

— Málaga CF (@MalagaCF) January 10, 2016

Malaga continue unbeaten streak

Malaga pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages but were able to extend their unbeaten run to seven games with four wins and three draws since losing to Espanyol back in November. For Las Palmas it was missed opportunity to pull away from the relegation places and a second consecutive draw.