La Liga wrap: Sevilla, Mallorca continue European pursuit

Sevilla closed the gap on fifth-placed Espanyol with a 3-0 win over Sporting Gijon in La Liga on Tuesday.

Gregorio Manzano’s side looked hard pressed to finish in the Europa League qualification places after a slow start to the season.

But they have now climbed level on points with sixth-placed Athletic Bilbao and are just two points behind Espanyol in fifth following a comprehensive victory over Sporting.

Brazil forward Luis Fabiano opened the scoring for the hosts from the penalty spot in the 29th minute at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan after he was brought down by Sebastian Eguren inside the area.

Eguren received his marching orders for the foul on the Brazilian, leaving Sporting a man short with an hour still to play.

Just eight minutes later and Sevilla were 2-0 up and cruising when Diego Perotti converted a fast break with a right-footed shot from inside the area.

Alvaro Negredo completed the scoring on 65th minute when he collected Ivan Rakitic’s through-ball and beat Ivan Pichu in the Sporting goal.

Earlier, Mallorca did Sevilla a favour by coming from behind to beat out-of-sorts Espanyol 2-1 away from home.

Stuttering Espanyol have been replaced in the top four by Villarreal and have now lost five of their last six matches.

They took the lead through Alvaro Vasquez 19 minutes into the match the Estadio Cornella El-Prat, but were fortunate not to be behind after Gonzalo Castro missed a ninth-minute penalty for visitors Mallorca.

Cameroon forward Pierre Webo equalised from a Sergio Tejera free-kick on 63 minutes, before Emilio Nsue followed up a parried shot from Akihiro Ienaga to strike the winner with seven minutes to go.

The win lifts Mallorca to 10th, just six points behind faltering Espanyol.