Sevilla 3-2 Villarreal: Kanoute & Luis Fabiano Seal Comeback Win

Sevilla 3-2 Villarreal - Lineup/Stats
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Sevilla thought they had thrown away a victory when Robert Pires and David Fuster canceled out Luis Fabiano’s opening goal. But the Brazilian and his lethal strike partner, Frederic Kanoute netted within five minute of each other to deny Villarreal a gallant fightback and in the process, secured a comeback win of their own.

The hosts went on the attack straight from kick-off and they split open the visiting defense after just five minutes. Jesus Navas danced down the right flank and cut a low cross for Alvaro Negredo, who laid it on for Diego Perotti but the Argentine’s side-footed shot was saved by Diego Lopez. 

But on eight minutes, the Andalucians went in front. Sergio Sanchez dinked a clever chip over the static Villarreal backline and Luis Fabiano pulled it down expertly before toe-poking it past the advancing Villarreal shot-stopper.

Just minutes later, Negredo picked up Navas’ center and burst into the box but his shot off balance was pushed away by Diego Lopez’s trailing arm. 

Villarreal, who were barely able to get the ball out of their own half in the opening exchanges, had to wait until the 15th minute before getting a look at their opponents’ goal. Robert Pires ran onto Joan Capdevila’s delicate through ball down the left flank but his tame low effort from a tight angle was gathered by Andres Palop.

Five minutes later, Pires again tested Palop from a tight angle but this time, his slightly more convincing drive forced the Sevilla goalkeeper into a reflex save at his near post. 

The Yellow Submarine maintained their pressure upfront and their tenacity paid off on 29 minutes with a superb goal. Pires exchanged passes with Bruno on the edge of the box and the veteran Frenchman collected the return ball before volleying a classy shot past Palop.

Sevilla responded three minutes later when Negredo rifled in a fierce left-foot missile from 20 yards out but Diego Lopez made a full stretch acrobatic dive to push it away. The host ended the half the stronger and had a glorious opportunity to retake the lead three minutes before the break. And it was Negredo again who terrorized El Submarino’s backline when he ran onto Navas’ long through ball, checked past Godin and Diego Lopez before squaring it to the middle for Luis Fabiano, but Capdevila slid in with a goal-saving tackle just as the Brazilian was about to pull the trigger.

The Blanquirrojos again started the second period at breakneck speed as they immediately launched assault after assault on the visiting goal. But as was the case in the opening 45, Villarreal gradually settled and wrestled control of the game.

And completely against the run of play, Ernesto Valverde’s troops launched into a surprise lead on the hour mark. Capdevila threaded a through pass to Pires who squared the ball towards Giuseppe Rossi, but Palop intercepted by pushing it out, only to reach David Fuster who made no mistakes with a cool shot on the edge of the box.

But just two minutes later, birthday boy Luis Fabiano headed the home sides back on leveled terms. Adriano’s cross from the left found the 29-year-old ‘O Fabuloso’ who cleverly looped a header past a hapless Diego Lopez.

And five minutes after that, Sevilla were back in front. Perotti took a short corner to Adriano, who whipped in another delicious cross for an unmarked and unchallenged Frederic Kanoute to thump in an unstoppable header.

Having learned their lesson, Sevilla made sure they did not take their foot off the gas for the remainder of the game. Their breathtaking attacking football almost left Villarreal clinging on desperately to avoid a heavier defeat.

The precious victory ensured Manolo Jimenez’s men reclaim third spot from Valencia in the standings but for El Submarino, they drop back down towards the relegation zone.

KS Leong, Goal.com

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