Sevilla win, Malaga lose
ByReuters
Updated 03/04/2011 at 23:55 GMT+1
Sevilla enhanced their prospects of playing in Europe next season when a Diego Perotti strike and penalties from Frederic Kanoute and Alvaro Negredo secured a 3-1 home win over Real Zaragoza in La Liga.
Sevilla Zaragoza Perotti Navas (Foto: EFE)
Image credit: Eurosport
The victory at their Sanchez Pizjuan stadium lifted the Andalusia club to fifth on 45 points, two ahead of Espanyol who were beaten 2-1 at home by Racing Santander earlier.
Perotti put the home side ahead in the 43rd minute when he stroked a cross from Spain winger Jesus Navas past his Argentine compatriot Leo Franco in the Zaragoza goal.
Czech midfielder Jiri Jarosik levelled four minutes later before Mali international Kanoute and his strike partner Negredo scored from the spot in the second half.
Sevilla now have their eye on reeling in fourth-placed Villarreal and a place in Champions League qualifying, coach Gregoria Manzano said.
"Today's step is the start of the ascent we want to make," he told a news conference.
"At least we are seeing a team that has a dream and we will maintain it to the end," he added. "But we are the ones who cannot afford to slip up."
At the other end of the table, Malaga's troubled season took a turn for the worse when they lost 3-1 at Levante.
Manuel Pellegrini's side remain mired in the relegation places in 19th, three ahead of bottom side Almeria, who host Athletic Bilbao on Monday.
Deportivo beat visiting Real Mallorca 2-1 and Royston Drenthe scored twice as Hercules won 3-1 at Real Sociedad.
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