Sevilla deepen Zaragoza woes

Posted Sunday, April 03, 2011 by PA

Sevilla climbed to fifth place in the Primera Division thanks to an accomplished 3-1 win at home to struggling Real Zaragoza.

The Andalusians have endured an indifferent campaign but found some form in the lead-up to this match, having drawn against Barcelona and beaten Valencia.

And they made it seven points out of a possible nine thanks to second-half penalties from Frederic Kanoute and Alvaro Negredo.

Earlier, Zaragoza's Jiri Jarosik cancelled out Diego Perotti's first-half strike just after the interval.

Sevilla had the best of the first half and Jesus Navas sent an angled shot just wide after two minutes.

Negredo then saw a venomous volley well saved by Leo Franco and the Spain striker fired wide from close range later in the half.

Zaragoza had their moments too, but Sevilla were the better side and went ahead through Perotti, who slotted home from close range after he was set up by Navas' low cross.

That was two minutes before the interval, but two minutes after the break Zaragoza equalised when Jarosik climbed to head home brilliantly from a free-kick.

But Zaragoza's lead lasted only nine minutes.

Martin Caceres was brought down by Leonardo Ponzio after 54 minutes and Kanoute converted the spot-kick to put the hosts back in control.

Sevilla keeper Javi Varas then made a great save to deny Jarosik a second of the night, while Nicolas Bertolo was guilty of squandering a glorious opportunity for the visitors as well.

Sevilla had their chances too and after Perotti and Federico Fazio were denied, the home side won a penalty deep into added time.

Paulo da Silva fouled Negredo and - with Kanoute already departed - the striker picked himself up to fire home from the spot.

Zaragoza remain in 17th, just a point above the drop zone with eight games left to play.