Rayo Vallecano earned their third Primera Division win of the season, winning 2-0 as new-look Malaga were reduced to 10 men at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas.
Pedro's seventh minute goal put Rayo in front and Malaga's chances of getting back into the game were dealt a blow when Eliseu was sent off 10 minutes before half-time for a professional foul.
Raul Tamudo then sealed the win for the promoted side as Rayo claimed their second victory in a row and moved into eighth in the overall standings, while the big-spending Andalusian club stayed in sixth after falling to their third straight defeat.
Rayo striker Tamudo had the first chance of the match after just three minutes but his 12-yard shot was punched to safety by Malaga goalkeeper Wilfredo Caballero.
Piti tested Caballero again seconds later, forcing him to save another shot, this time from 20 yards.
However, midfielder Piti was instrumental in the opening goal when his inswinging corner picked out Rayo defender Pedro, who headed into the top left hand corner from close range to give the home side the lead.
Malaga striker Ruud van Nistelrooy was then caught offside before Duda blasted his powerful free-kick against the wall as the visitors started to press, however, they were reduced to 10 men in the 36th minute when defender Eliseu was shown a straight red card
Rayo tested the weakened defence when Tamudo's shot was parried by Caballero after Piti fired in two more testing corners, but Malaga held firm to trail by a single goal at half-time.
After the break, Rayo striker Miguel Perez hit the post from 20 yards before Caballero saved the visitors again when he blocked substitute Daniel Pacheco's close-range strike.
Van Nistelrooy then headed a chance over the bar in the 60th minute as the luck seemed to have run out for Manuel Pellegrini's men.
Tamudo rubbed salt into the wound 10 minutes later when he fired home Rayo's second from inside the area.
The striker latched onto Roberto Trashorras' pass from the right wing to beat the excellent Caballero with a low shot and seal the win.
