The first half at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero was entirely indicative of both sides this season.
With the two teams struggling at the wrong end of the LaLiga table, confidence looked to be low and the ability to string incisive attacks together was found wanting in a somewhat drab opening 45 minutes.
The hosts kicked off the match bottom of the division, having picked up just four points from their opening 11 matches, and it was easy to see why Jorge Almiron's side are yet to win a single league game this term as they failed to create any clear-cut chances of note.
It must be said Getafe fared little better as they struggled to trouble an Elche defence which occupies the second-worst defensive record in Europe’s top five leagues.
The second period started nothing like the first 45 minutes ended. Getafe looked full of running and extra attacking impetus no more evident than when they took the lead just eight minutes after the break. Carles Alena picked out Unal on the penalty spot for the Turkish forward to place an unerring finish past Edgar Badía in the Elche goal.
With just 12 minutes to go, Getafe pushed the door ajar for an unlikely Elche comeback when Jordan Amavi, on as a first-half substitute, recklessly lunged for the ball, only making contact with the man, and the former Aston Villa full-back was given his marching orders after receiving a second booking.
The proverbial door looked to have been busted wide open when the visitors’ Luis Milla was adjudged to have handled in the area, but Lucas Boyé’s tame penalty was comfortably kept out by David Soria for the Spaniard’s second spot-kick save in a row.
This was the Azulones' first victory over Elche in four attempts, with Unal’s strike proving to be the difference as Quique Sanchez Flores's side shot up to 14th in the table with the slender away win.
