Diego Colotto headed the only goal of the game as Deportivo La Coruna improved their record to four wins from six matches.

The Argentinian defender made his decisive contribution on the hour after Tenerife failed to deal with a corner, and the Galicians held on comfortably to climb to fourth place ahead of tomorrow's matches.

While Deportivo had won three and lost two of their opening five games, Tenerife had scored two victories and suffered three defeats on their return to the top-flight.

And the Canary Islanders set out to even out that record with a win in this match.

The home side had the first chance of the match after just six minutes, when Roman Martinez headed just over the bar following a well-worked team move.

Richi also headed over from Nino's cross as the locals threatened again after 22 minutes.

But Colotto then sent a header over at the other end as Deportivo threatened.

Most of the dangerous plays were in the air as both teams opted for a direct approach.

On the ground, the two sides were trying their luck with longer-range efforts and that route almost brought an opening goal eight minutes before half-time, when Andres Guardado forced Tenerife goalkeeper Sergio Aragoneses into a fine save with a fierce effort from outside the box.

Guardado was looking lively and the Mexico winger almost set up a first goal for Deportivo after 40 minutes, when he skipped past Aitor Nunez and flashed an inviting ball across the face of goal, but Lassad Nouioui was unable to get the final touch and Tenerife survived.

Depor looked the better side and their domination continued after the break, when Riki scooped a delicate effort onto the roof of the net with Aragoneses beaten.

Roman then shot wide at the other end in a rare Tenerife attack.

But it was a game being dominated by Deportivo who almost went ahead after 58 minutes, when Filipe Luis' cross deflected off Aitor and nearly found its way into the back of the net.

Two minutes later, though, Miguel Angel Lotina's side did take the lead.

Tenerife failed to deal with a corner and Colotto, unmarked at the far post, headed home from close range to give the visitors the goal they had been pressing for and probably deserved.

Riki then almost made it 2-0 straight afterwards, but could not apply the finishing touch to Guardado's cross.

Substitute Rodolfo Bodipo should have made the win safe for Deportivo with seven minutes left, but fired badly wide with only Aragoneses to beat.

Nevertheless, Depor had done enough and held on to move provisionally into the top four.

Tenerife, meanwhile, stand 14th after a fourth defeat in six games and could drop several more places tomorrow.