A first minute goal from Javier Moreno Marquez saw Espanyol defeat Malaga 1-0 at the Cornella-El Prat to rise up to fourth in the Spanish Primera Division, leaving Malaga in the relegation zone.

The goal came just seconds after the start when Jose Callejon’s pass was shot into the Malaga net by Javier Marquez from outside the penalty box.

The midfielder could have added a second just moments later when he headed a Didac cross towards the Malaga goal but it was saved by goalkeeper Francesc Arnau.

Espanyol started dominated proceedings from then on with Pablo Osvaldo coming close twice midway through the first-half.

A minute after the half-hour mark, though, the Andalucians could have restored parity had Eliseu’s left footed shot from an acute angle not been saved. Patrick Mtiliga then saw his header from close range saved by Carlos Kameni between the Espanyol sticks.

Malaga finished the first-half the stronger of the two sides with Eliseu and Nabil Baha both trying their luck but in vain.

Espanyol, though, commenced the second session brightly with Victor Ruiz’s attempt on the Malaga goal from close range going just off target.

But Malaga responded well, with Sebastian Fernandez going close on two separate occasions midway through the half. The visitors could have snatched a late equaliser in Barcelona if Edinho’s header from the centre of the Espanyol box from Francisco Portillo’s cross been on target.

The 1-0 win for the Catalans means that they now rise up to fourth in the league standings, or be it temporarily, while Malaga remain third from bottom.