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Rampant Sevilla cruised up into third place in the Spanish Liga yesterday with a 4-1 trouncing of bottom team Deportivo Coruna, with Stephane Mbia banging in a brace. “Our aim is to try to improve every match, and i think we did so today,” Sevilla coach Unai Emery said. |
“We have to be prudent, there is still a long way to go. We have to continue taking small steps forward.”
Mbia opened the scoring in the 25th minute by heading in a corner from winger Gerard Deulofeu.
Haris Mendunjanin quickly equalized for Deportivo with a handsome left-foot free-kick, only for Carlos Bacca to straight away restore Sevilla’s lead after being set up by the excellent Deulofeu.
Bacca set up Mbia to make it 3-1, Deulofeu laid the fourth goal on a plate for Vitolo. Deportivo keeper German Lux prevented a cricket score with a string of late saves, including a penalty from Bacca.
Sevilla - making their best start since 2006 - have 16 points from seven games, which is one less than Valencia and three less than leaders Barcelona.
Deportivo, who have conceded 19 goals, are rock bottom, with coach Victor Fernandez in grave danger of the sack. “We must not slide into desperation, because the season has just started,” the embattled Fernandez said.
“Today, we didn’t have the necessary mental strength to control Sevilla. But fortunately, not all our opponents are going to be like Sevilla.”
Later Sunday, Villarreal moved up to seventh with a 3-1 win at sixth-placed Celta Vigo, on a brace from promising youngster Moi Gomez.
Joaquin Larrivey pulled a goal back for Celta. However, the hosts had defender Andreu Fontas sent off four minutes from the end, and Mario Gaspar took advantage to make it 3-1 for Villarreal.
Sunday’s late game was to bring together fifth-placed Real Madrid and were troubled Athletic Bilbao, who are third from bottom.
Los Blancos will be looking for their fourth straight win, while Bilbao will be trying to pull themselves above the danger zone.