02.05.2010
Negredo double boosts Sevilla Euro push
An Alvaro Negredo penalty double helped Sevilla beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 and move them up to fourth in La Liga on Sunday, boosting their hopes of playing in the Champions League next season.
Sevilla leap-frogged Real Mallorca, who face Athletic Bilbao later, into the final Champions League place after their comfortable victory.
In a forerunner of the Copa del Rey final later this month, there was a flurry of early goals with an unmarked Luis Fabiano putting the home side ahead after five minutes.
Tiago Cardoso then levelled after latching onto a loose ball in the box.
Negredo restored Sevilla's advantage with a penalty after Juan Valera upended Adriano Correia and then, six minutes before half-time, scored his second spot kick following a foul by Luis Perea on Fabiano.
It was a crude challenge by the Colombian which forced Fabiano off the pitch with an ankle injury which is expected to keep him out for up to ten days and puts him in danger of missing the cup final.
Later Sunday, Real Madrid have the chance to move back to within one point of leaders Barcelona when they play Osasuna.
Barça responded in style to their heartbreaking Champions League exit at the hands of Inter Milan with a 4-1 win at Villarreal on Saturday that took them a step closer to the title.
A brace from Lionel Messi along with goals from Xavi Hernandez and Bojan Krikic led the Catalans to victory with Joseba Llorente scoring the only goal in reply.
Although games are running out, Real coach Manuel Pellegrini believes there is still some way to go in the championship race.
"The team which is leading obviously has more chances of winning the league but from now on all the games are going to be difficult as sides are fighting for European places or against relegation," he said.
"The key now is to keep playing at a high level in the matches left."
A brace from substitute Nicola Zigic saw Valencia beat Espanyol 2-0 and consolidate third place.
Getafe's Europa League hopes suffered a blow after they were held 0-0 away to relegation threatened Valladolid.
Tenerife beat Racing Santander 2-1 but remain in the bottom three on goal difference after Malaga drew 1-1 with Sporting Gijon.
Source: © 2010 AFP - Jorge Guerrero
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