Malaga, Spain, Sept 13: Santi Cazorla and Joaquin Sanchez each scored twice to give Malaga a 4-0 win over Granada on Monday for its first victory in the Spanish league after its offseason spending spree.
Malaga cashed in on its £60-million ($85-million) summer overhaul as it completely outclassed the newly-promoted Granada at La Rosaleda stadium.
Cazorla led the way throughout, looking eager to prove he is worth the almost £20 million ($27 million) Malaga paid for him this summer.
The former Villarreal playmaker was quick to take advantage of the passive Granada defense in the fourth minute when he rifled a low left footer inside the near post from the edge of the area.
Granada, playing just its second topflight game in 35 years, left Joaquin unmarked in the 25th to head in Jesus Gamez's well-placed cross.
Three minutes into the second half, Cazorla anticipated the defense's attempt to block his free kick by slotting it under the wall for Malaga's third goal.
The Spain midfielder then found fellow new signing Joaquin alone in the area to finish off a counterattack in the 72nd and cap Malaga's win its opening home game.
“It is important that our fans had a good time after all the rising expectations from the summer,” said coach Manuel Pellegrini, whose Malaga side showed no signs of its lackluster week one performance in a 2-1 loss at Sevilla.
“I think each game is different. Against Sevilla we fell behind early, and that changed the game. Then, we didn't show the same aggression and care of the ball that we had today.”
Cazorla has scored three goals already this season, two from free kicks.
Over the weekend, Karim Benzema scored a brace as Madrid beat Getafe 4-2, while Barcelona squandered an early lead with a pair of defensive lapses that let Real Sociedad rally to a 2-2 draw.
Roberto Soldado gave Valencia a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid with his fourth goal of the season, and a 10-man Villarreal salvaged a 2-2 draw with Sevilla.
Also, it was: Real Betis 1, Mallorca 0; Racing Santander 0, Levante 0; Osasuna 2, Sporting Gijon 1; Rayo Vallecano 0, Zaragoza 0; Espanyol 2, Athletic Bilbao 1.
Madrid, Valencia and Betis—all perfect with two wins—sit top of the league standings with defending champion Barcelona two points behind. AP
