Espanyol 2-3 Sevilla - Sevilla seal top-five finish

Posted Saturday, May 21, 2011 by PA

Sevilla beat Espanyol 3-2 to seal a fifth-placed finish in the Primera Division on a night that will be remembered for Ivan de la Pena's farewell.

De la Pena, injured all season and retiring after this match, came on with just 10 minutes left to a huge ovation from the home fans at Cornella and was given a rapturous send-off by supporters, players and coaches at the final whistle.

Alvaro Negredo scored twice and also hit the post for Sevilla, with Frederic Kanoute netting the other, while Dani Osvaldo and Joan Verdu were on target for Espanyol.

Both teams were fighting for a place in Europe just a few weeks ago, but Espanyol dropped off the pace several weeks ago.

Sevilla started the day in fifth and needed a win to secure direct passage to the Europa League, even though qualification for the continental competition was guaranteed.

And they made the perfect start as Negredo netted a brilliant opener from outside the box after just two minutes.

Osvaldo, perhaps making his last appearance for Espanyol as he is linked with a move in the summer, was heavily involved for the home side.

But the next goal fell to Sevilla as Kanoute swept home from close range on the stroke of half-time.

The former Tottenham man dedicated the goal to his father, who passed away earlier this week.

An Osvaldo volley gave Espanyol hope nine minutes after the interval.

But Negredo scored an even better volley shortly after the hour mark and hit the post with a minute left.

By that time, Verdu had volleyed Espanyol back into it again, but Sevilla deserved the points and for the home side, it was all about saying goodbye to De la Pena.

Sevilla finished in fifth, nine points ahead of Espanyol, in eighth.