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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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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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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913


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