Seville, Dec 16 (IANS) Sevilla on Sunday earned a 2-0 home win over Girona on the strength of two second half goals to regain the second spot in the La Liga table.
Following the victories of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, Sevilla had no option other than a win to regain the second spot the Rojiblancos temporarily grabbed after their hard fought 3-2 win over Valladolid, reports Efe news.
But it was Girona who controlled the ball possession, while Sevilla relied on the counter-attack to threaten the goal of keeper Gorka Iraizoz, who made the starting lineup replacing Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, best known as Bono, who was sidelined with injury.
By the half hour mark, Sevilla gained control of the game in the midfield and had an opportunity to open the scoring on a shot by attacking midfielder Pablo Sarabia, but Iraizoz nicely saved his attempt.
In the dying minutes of the first half, Girona's Uruguayan striker Christian Stuani tried his luck on a close range shot, but Vaclik saved the day, as did Iraizoz when he blocked midfielder Roque Mesa's shot and the scoreless deadlock reigned till the intermission.
Despite their slow start to the second half, Sevilla was awarded a penalty kick in the 55th minutes over a foul by defender Juanpe Ramirez against Portuguese striker Andre Silva. Argentine midfielder Ever Banega delivered from the 12-yard.
Girona aggressively sought out the equaliser, while Sevilla waited for the counter-attack in a bid to score the insurance.
The home side managed to score the second goal on a right footed shot by Sarabia and referee Guillermo Cuadra Fern?ndez had to consult the video assistant referee before allowing it.
(This story has not been edited by Social News XYZ staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
