Hanif Omranzadeh’s header gave the visitors a valuable victory at the Takhti Stadium in Bandar Anzali.
Malavan’s Mohammad Rostami was sent off by the referee after receiving his second yellow card in the 82nd minute.
Esteghlal moved up to the top of IPL with 30 points followed by Zob Ahan and Persepolis with 29 and 28 points respectively and one other game in hand each.
In the other matches, Sanat Naft of Abadan defeated Saba Battery 3-1, while Shahrdari of Tabriz beat Steel Azin 3-0. Pas of Hamedan was held to a goalless draw by Foolad of Khuzestan.
Zob Ahan is scheduled to play Naft of Tehran on Monday in its home, and Tehran-based Persepolis will face Sepahan of Isfahan in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.