Espanyol 2-0 Almeria

Espanyol brought their five-match losing streak to an end with a win at home to fellow strugglers Almeria.

The Barcelona-based side looked nervous following their recent poor form, but struck a huge psychological blow as they took the lead on the stroke of half-time, through Javi Marquez.

And Ferran Corominas wrapped up a deserved win for the Catalans with a second goal late on to give Mauricio Pochettino's men a huge boost and relieve pressure on the Argentinian coach.

This game was a must-win affair for both sides.

Espanyol began the day just a point clear of the relegation zone. Almeria also started the day on 13 points, having picked up just one from the last four matches.

Those were hardly the ingredients for a classic, but the game actually began with a flourish.

Almeria almost went ahead after just two minutes, when Fernando Soriano found space in the area, but drilled his shot wide with only Carlos Kameni to beat.

At the other end, Moises Hurtado - returning from injury in midfield - almost connected with Jose Callejon's dangerous cross.

Almeria then threatened after nine minutes, but Hernan Bernadello badly mishit his shot and the ball did not quite fall for Kalu Uche, who was waiting to pounce from close range.

The game was pretty even now and the next chance fell to Espanyol, when Marquez got away from Soriano and drove a powerful effort just over the crossbar from the edge of the box.

The hosts then saw their penalty appeals waved away as Ivan Alonso went down too easily in the box.

But they almost went ahead after 27 minutes, when Callejon sent a stinging half-volley towards goal, only to see Diego Alves produce a fine save to keep the scores level.

They went even closer six minutes before the break, but Joan Verdu somehow managed to miss with Alves beaten and the goal at his mercy.

On the stroke of half-time, though, Espanyol did score, when Marquez smashed a brilliant volley past Alves at the near post following Verdu's neat cross.

It was the perfect time to score and Espanyol appeared to grow in confidence in the second half.

Alonso almost added a second when he beat Alves with a lobbed effort, only to see Santiago Acasiete clear off the line.

The Catalans' dominance was total as the game wore on, but the second goal was remaining elusive.

There was nobody to get on the end of Callejon's cross after 67 minutes, while Moises saw his shot blocked moments later.

Verdu then rattled the woodwork with a fierce drive as Espanyol got closer and closer.

And the second goal finally arrived nine minutes from time, when Alves failed to deal with Marquez's shot and Corominas was on hand to slot home.

The Catalans comfortably negotiated six minutes of added time to hold on for their first win in six, which sees them move four points clear of the relegation zone.

Almeria, though, are still only a point clear of the drop zone and coach Hugo Sanchez may be out of a job this week.