Getafe beat Espanyol to move clear of Spanish drop zone

Getafe beat fellow strugglers Espanyol 1-0 to move clear of La Liga's relegation zone and pile pressure on their Catalan rivals.

On-loan Real Madrid striker Alvaro Rodriguez scored  the only goal with a deft header after seven minutes at the Coliseum in Getafe on Monday (Tuesday AEDT).

Both sides had chances, especially in a more lively second half, but it remained 1-0.

Getafe jumped two places into 15th and opened a three-point gap on Espanyol, who are third to last.

The defeat was the sixth consecutive away from home for Manolo Gonzalez's side.

Only 7559 spectators turned out at the Coliseum, but home goalkeeper David Soria said Getafe's season would be decided on their own patch.

"We have to be strong at home, in front of our own fans," Soria said. "This is where our salvation lies."