Sevilla squander two-goal lead

Fifth-placed Sevilla missed the opportunity to close the gap on the Champions League places to five points thanks to their 2-2 draw away at Rayo Vallecano this afternoon.

The visitors opened up a two-goal lead within the first 20 minutes at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas, but they were pegged back by strikes either side of the break from Manucho and Miku.

There were only 10 minutes on the clock when Sevilla broke the deadlock through Steven N'Zonzi. A corner from the left was whipped over to the back post, where Kevin Gameiro headed against the post before former Stoke City midfielder N'Zonzi bundled the ball over the line.

That lead was then doubled soon after as Rayo goalkeeper Juan Carlos made two saves in quick succession, only for Vicente Iborra to react quickest to poke the loose ball in from close range.

However, just when it appeared that Unai Emery's men were going to take a healthy advantage into the interval, the hosts hit back in the 43rd minute. A cross from Adri Embarba found ex-Manchester United striker Manucho, who located the bottom corner from six yards out.

It was another former Man United player that played a key role in the equalising goal with 62 minutes played. Bebe, who made seven appearances for the Red Devils, drilled in a low cross from the right that Miku sent into the roof of the net for his fifth goal in as many La Liga games.

Bebe then had the best chance to steal all three points for Rayo in the closing stages, but from 10 yards out he was unable to keep his effort on target.