Sevilla moved above Barcelona into second place


Sevilla moved above Barcelona into second spot in the La Liga table, as they held off Valencia with a 2-1 win at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium on Saturday.

 An own-goal from Ezequiel Garay and a second from Nicolas Pareja secured victory for the home side, who now sit just seven points behind league leaders Real Madrid.

 El Haddadi Munir pulled one back for the visitors just after the hour mark, but it wasn't to be for Cesare Prandelli's men who were denied an equaliser in the last kick of the game when Sevilla's Sergio Rico somehow kept out Jose Gaya's goal-bound strike with a stunning save.
The first half saw little in the way of chances created, as the home side were forced to defend to keep Valencia at bay. 

 Los Che were gifted an opportunity inside the first three minutes when Sevilla goalkeeper Rico delivered a poor kick straight to the opposition, but much to Rico's relief his defenders were on hand to clear the danger.

 The home side closed down the hosts well and showed an impressive counter-attacking display in the 18th minute when Franco Vazquez went on a good run into the box as he looked to pick out Vitolo, but Valencia tracked back well to deal with the danger. 

 The best chance of the first half came Vazquez's way after 20 minutes when the midfielder released a shot from the edge of the box with his left foot, but he sent his effort narrowly wide to leave manager Jorge Sampaoli with his head in his hands.

 As the game progressed so did the quality displayed and the deadlock was finally broken after 53 minutes when, after some brilliant build-up play, Vitolo squared the ball across the face of goal only for a hapless Garay to turn the ball into his own net as he attempted to clear it from close-range.

 But the lead didn't last long, with substitute Munir making an instant impact with a great goal to draw his side level in the 65th minute, getting on the end of a fabulous through ball from Joao Cancelo before slotting home with the outside of his left foot.

 Nine minutes later the home side reinstated their lead when Nico Pareja took a touch from a well-taken Sevilla corner before moving inside on his left foot to shoot from just inside the box to put his team ahead.

 The away side came agonisingly close to grabbing a late equaliser but Rico's super save between the sticks denied Gaya seconds before the final whistle blew.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Chelsea sign Bakayoko from Monaco for £40M

Image
Tiemoue Bakayoko has joined Chelsea from Monaco and become the club's second-most expensive signing of all time. Sky Sports News HQ understands the 22-year-old has cost the Blues £40m - some £10m less than Fernando Torres in 2011. Bakayoko, an athletic central midfielder, has signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge and will join up with France international team-mate N'Golo Kante. Bakayoko said: "I have grown up watching Chelsea. Signing was the natural thing for me because it is a club I loved very much in my childhood. "I am now looking forward to evolving under this fantastic coach (Antonio Conte) and alongside so many great team-mates." Chelsea's technical director Michael Emenalo said: "Tiemoue was outstanding as Monaco emerged as one of Europe's best sides last season and we are delighted to welcome him to Chelsea. "Despite his young age he already has plenty of experience as a French title winner and having competed
Read more

Jose Gimenez's goal secured a late win for Uruguay against Egypt

Image
It’s another exciting atmosphere in Russia as Egypt take on Uruguay in a group A encounter. Uruguay dominated possession in the first 3 minutes of the opening stage of the first half. Caceres was put under pressure defensively but can’t keep the ball in play after tackle, though it shows Egypt are doing everything within their reach to limit the time Uruguay have on the ball. Egypt are starting to to enjoy the game after the early pressure from the Uruguay. Cavani look threatening to the Egypt defense with the first attempt of the game, firing a low shot from outside the box that El – Shenawy managed to keep out comfortably. Egypt have done great defensively as they’ve kept Uruguay silent and finding thir rhythm in attack. Egypt with their first attempt of the game as trezeguet forced Muslera into action for the first time. He chests the ball down to create some chance in the box but couldn’t get contact with the ball properly. Egypt are looking more dangerous on th
Read more

Ronaldo on a rare run of goals and assists for Juventus

Image
The Portuguese star is on a rare run of getting goals and assists, after pulling it off against Parma, Sassuolo and Frosinone Cristiano Ronaldo proved his importance to Juventus once again as he scored and assisted in a match for the third time in a row on Friday. The 34-year-old helped fire the Serie A leaders to a 3-0 win over Frosinone when he set Paulo Dybala up for the opening goal and then netted his side's third in the second half. Having also notched goals and assists against Parma and Sassuolo in the previous two league games, he is on a rare run of form of playing the dual role of scorer and provider for the defending champions. It is the second time in the 33-year-old's career that he has scored and set up goals in three games in a row. The last time he put such run together was in November 2014, when he was still with Real Madrid. Ronaldo's 19th goal extends his lead at the top of the Serie A goal chart, while he now has made the joint-most ass
Read more