Football: Sevilla climb to third with Mallorca win

22 September 2009 21:00
MADRID (AFP) - Sevilla notched a third successive win to join Real Madrid and Barcelona at the league summit defeating Real Mallorca 2-0 at home on Tuesday.[LNB]Mallorca could have gone top of the table with a victory but Sevilla were a cut above and took the spoils thanks to first half goals from Sebastian Squillaci and Argentine Diego Perotti.[LNB]Sevilla welcomed back Brazilian international Luis Fabiano but it was French centre-back Squillaci who surprisingly opened the scoring after 17 minutes.[LNB]It was a goal made in France with Julien Escude heading the ball across goal for compatriot Squillaci to head in off the underside of the crossbar.[LNB]The second goal was created brilliantly by Fabiano and Jesus Navas who crossed for Perotti to head home from close range.[LNB]Mallorca had a golden chance to make it 2-1 close to half-time but Fernando Varela was foiled by Andres Palop.[LNB]Brazilian Adriano almost made it 3-0 minutes after the interval but a last-ditch block denied him a brilliant solo goal.[LNB]Sevilla climb to third with their third consecutive victory while Mallorca lie sixth after their first defeat of the campaign.[LNB]Champions Barcelona can replace Real Madrid, ahead on goal difference, at the summit with a draw or win at Racing Santander at on Tuesday.[LNB]Barca have a perfect nine points but historically Racing has not been a happy hunting ground and they have only won 13 out of their 41 visits to El Sardinero.[LNB]"It has been a complicated ground for us and a lot of other teams," said Barca coach Pepe Guardiola. "We have done well against them recently but always by a narrow margin."[LNB]If Barca defeat Racing it will be the first time since 1997/98 that they have started a season with four straight wins.[LNB]Real Madrid?s expensive 'Galacticos' face their hardest test so far with a trip to Villarreal on Wednesday as coach Manuel Pellegrini goes back to his old club.[LNB]"It is a joy to go back to Villarreal," said Pellegrini. "They were five years at a great club and I met some fantastic people. The fans always treated me well during my time there and I hope I get a good reception."[LNB]Pellegrini has guided Real to three straight victories while his successor at Villarreal Ernesto Valverde has yet to win a game.[LNB]Atletico Madrid, another team pushing for a top four spot, have also had a nervy start with just one point from nine ahead of Wednesday's home match against Almeria.[LNB]Coach Abel Resino got the dreaded vote of confidence from Atletico president Enrique Cerezo this week following the 5-2 humiliation by Barcelona over the weekend.

Source: Eurosport