Espanyol midfielder Sergi Darder scored the only goal of the game against his former club to plunge Malaga and Coach Michel into deep trouble.
Signed from Olympique Lyonnais in the summer, Darder found the corner of the net in the sixth minute after being set up by Sergio Garcia, deciding a flat and frustrating encounter for the hosts.
Chory Castro and Adalberto Penaranda were among those guilty of missing presentable opportunities for the Andalusians, whose lack of firepower was once more telling.
The Costa Del Sol club now lie five points adrift from safety after their latest defeat – their 13th in 18 League games – while Espanyol climb two places to 14th.