Sevilla 3 : 1 Real Sociedad - Kanoute seals Euro trip

Posted Sunday, May 15, 2011 by PA

Two second-half strikes from Frederic Kanoute sealed Sevilla's place in next season's Europa League but opponents Real Sociedad will go into the final day of the season battling to beat the drop.

Kanoute pounced with two goals in six minutes and a third four minutes from time from Alvaro Negredo means Gregorio Manzano's team cannot now finish any lower than the seventh and final qualifying spot.

But Sociedad face a nail-biting battle with fellow strugglers Getafe next week after another poor performance was compounded by results elsewhere which sent the visitors to within just two points of the drop.

Sevilla had started nervously after threatening to blow their Europa League chances in a disastrous week which saw them hammered at home by Real Madrid and then surrender a two-goal lead to lose at Osasuna.

Alberto de la Bella had the first chance for Sociedad which he struck just wide, before visiting keeper Claudio Bravo was forced into action for the first time to save a Kanoute header.

Sevilla came close to opening the scoring in the 20th minute when Alejandro Alfaro's 25-yard effort hit the bar, then Diego Perotti struck a right-foot shot from the edge of the box which was saved by Bravo.

Negredo also hit the woodwork with a header five minutes from the break and after a sustained period of pressure at the start of the second half Kanoute finally headed a 54th minute opener from a Martin Caceres cross.

Six minutes later Kanoute headed his second from the centre of the box after a cross by Perotti on the left, but Imanol Agirretxe reduced the deficit after 72 minutes when he shot low past Javi Varas.

The home side finally made the game safe and secured their passage back into European competition six minutes from time when Ndri Romaric crossed from deep on the left and Negredo swept home their third.