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Sevilla logo
La Liga
Apr 6, 2014 at 6pm UK
 
Espanyol logo

4-1

Mbia (19'), Gameiro (45', 84'), Rakitic (90')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Garcia (47' pen.)

Sevilla boost Champions League hopes with win over Espanyol

Sevilla give their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League a boost with a 4-1 win over Espanyol.

Sevilla have kept the pressure on fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao with a 4-1 win over Espanyol in their La Liga meeting this evening.

The hosts took the lead in the 18th minute when Stephane Mbia rose highest inside the area to nod Piotr Trochowski's corner past the keeper.

Sevilla's French forward Kevin Gameiro (L) scores during the Spanish league football match Sevilla FC vs RCD Espanyol at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Sevilla on April 6, 2014© Getty Images

It was almost 2-0 midway through the first half as Carlos Bacca slipped a pass through to Victor Vitolo, who fired an effort from inside the area narrowly past the post.

Espanyol came even closer just three minutes later, however, when Simao's free kick proved too good for the keeper but came back off the upright.

Sevilla's second goal came right on the stroke of half time as Vitolo's cross found Kevin Gameiro, who chested the ball down before slotting his shot into the bottom corner.

The visitors had a glorious chance to pull a goal back just two minutes after the restart, however, as Federico Fazio was penalised for a foul inside the penalty area.

Sergio Garcia stepped up to take the resulting spot kick and made no mistake with his effort, coolly finding the corner from 12 yards.

The hosts almost restored their two-goal lead in the 66th minute when Ivan Rakitic rose well inside the box, but he sent a powerful header just over the top.

Garcia had a chance to double his personal tally and draw his side level with 20 minutes remaining, but this time he couldn't find the target as he put his effort from inside the box narrowly wide.

The points were sealed for Sevilla six minutes from time when Marko Marin found Gameiro inside the box, and the French striker picked out the bottom corner for his second of the night.

There was still time for a fourth goal, however, as Rakitic capped off the scoring in the last minute of normal time to send Sevilla within three points of Bilbao.

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Barney Corkhill
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Sevilla's forward Jose Antonio Reyes celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 football match Real Betis Balompie vs Sevilla FC at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Sevilla on March 20, 2014
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid21154250203049
2Atletico MadridAtletico21136235142145
3Barcelona21133559243542
4Athletic Bilbao21117331181340
5Villarreal219753932734
6Mallorca219391926-730
7Rayo Vallecano217862524129
8GironaGirona218492929028
9Real Sociedad218491717028
10Real BetisBetis217772326-328
11Osasuna216962530-527
12Sevilla217682430-627
13Celta Vigo2174103033-325
14Getafe215881717023
15Las PalmasLas Palmas2165102634-823
16Leganes215881929-1023
17AlavesAlaves2156102533-821
18Espanyol2155112033-1320
19Valencia2137112036-1616
20Real ValladolidValladolid2143141442-2815


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