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April 15, 2010

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Sevilla's Europe hopes dented

SEVILLA'S Champions League hopes suffered a big blow when it lost 1-2 at struggling Real Valladolid in La Liga on Tuesday.

Diego Costa and Manucho scored either side of halftime with a header and sweeping finish after a counter-attack to reward a spirited display by the hosts.

A stunning long-distance effort from Juan Cala gave Sevilla hope seven minutes from time and it took desperate saves from Valladolid goalkeeper Jacobo to deny Jesus Navas and Luis Fabiano in a nail-biting finish.

Sevilla remained fourth on 51 points, in the last Champions League qualification place, but could drop back if fifth-placed Real Mallorca get at least a draw at Real Zaragoza.

Leader Barcelona, with 80 points, hosts Deportivo Coruna and would open a six-point lead over Real Madrid with a victory. Valladolid called in former Spain boss Javier Clemente as its third coach of the campaign last week to try and save it from relegation, and after a draw at the weekend he earned his first victory at the helm.

Clemente's side stayed 19th in the 20-team league with 28 points after 18th-placed Tenerife earned its first away win of the campaign - 2-0 at Sporting Gijon.

Alejandro Alfaro and Roman Martinez netted late goals at the Molinon to move the islanders on to 29 points, two short of 17th-placed Malaga and safety.

In the late game, Villarreal's Spain goalkeeper Diego Lopez had an unfortunate night as his side lost 0-3 in a pulsating encounter in Getafe's rainswept Coliseum.

First he fumbled a long-range shot to gift Nicolas Fedor 'Miku' the opener, and then he could only push Mane's free-kick against the post, the rebound going in off his back.

There was nothing he could do about the third, however, as Fedor scored his second of the night on a two-against-one breakaway near the end.



 

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