Nine-man Deportivo La Coruna got their European challenge back on track with a surprisingly comfortable Primera Division win over woeful Getafe.

Miguel Mista gave the visitors an early lead but they found themselves a man down with only 27 minutes gone when Ivan Riki picked up two yellow cards in seven minutes.

Getafe failed to muster anything in response, though, and Depor doubled their lead on the hour through Filipe.

Sergio became the second visiting player to see red with 17 minutes remaining. But still the hosts struggled to create anything approaching a decent chance, and Depor easily held on.

Depor's fine start to the season has stuttered in recent weeks. They could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Sporting Gijon last Sunday and were hammered 4-0 at Valladolid before that.

Those setbacks came after a four-match winning run that had raised hopes in Galicia of a challenge for a Champions League place.

Inconsistent Getafe were awful in losing at 10-man Real Madrid last time out but had won three of their four home games before today.

After a low-key start, the visitors took the lead in the 14th minute through Mista.

Filipe swung in a cross from the left wing, and the striker had the easy task of finding the net from close range.

Riki picked up a yellow card 20 minutes in for a foul on Daniel Cata Diaz, and that was to prove costly seven minutes later when the striker inexplicably handled and was given his marching orders.

Getafe had completely failed to get going, though, and the man advantage made little difference as what little goalmouth action there was continued to happen at the home end.

Mista tried his luck from just outside the box but this time he was off target.

Sanchez Pedro Leon caused visiting goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia a moment's concern from a 38th-minute corner - but that was as close as the hosts came in a lacklustre first half.

Not surprisingly, Getafe coach Michel opted to change things at half-time - with Jaime Gavilan replacing Manu and Pedro Rios coming on for Jose Manuel Mane.

Gavilan was immediately into the action, firing in a shot from the edge of the area that was comfortably dealt with by Aranzubia.

But far from capitalising on their numerical advantage, Getafe found themselves further behind - and it was the same visiting players involved.

This time Mista laid the ball off for Filipe to tuck home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Mista's reward was to be replaced, and amazingly the visitors found themselves down to nine when Sergio - who had been booked in the first half - picked up a second yellow card in the 73rd minute for a foul on Miguel Torres.

That did tip the scales in Getafe's favour, and the lively Gavilan drew a fine save from Aranzubia with a 78th-minute shot.

The same player then tried his luck from distance, before Javi Casquero fired over the bar.

The Depor goal was far from under siege, though, and a speculative effort from Pedro Rios was as close as they came in a low-key finale.