Sevilla put one foot in Spanish Cup final
Reuters - Wednesday 03 February 2010, 23:18
MADRID - Luis Fabiano's looping header and
a Mario Alvarez own goal gave Sevilla a 2-0 win over Getafe in
their King's Cup semi-final first-leg on Wednesday.
Getafe, who lost to Sevilla in the 2007 final, started the
match brightly at a rain-lashed Sanchez Pizjuan.
Striker Manu del Moral twice went close but was denied first
by home goalkeeper Andres Palop and then by a well-timed
challenge from Adriano Correia.
The visitors were finding it all too easy to control
possession and Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez replaced striker
Alvaro Negredo with midfielder Ndri Romaric just after the half
hour.
Despite the complaints of the home fans, the change appeared
to have the desired effect and Getafe keeper Oscar Ustari had to
be at his best to keep out a close-range Fabiano volley in the
41st minute.
The Brazilian striker found the net in first-half added
time, nodding over Ustari from Adriano's cross, and sprinted to
the bench where he donned a black sombrero in homage to club
president Jose Maria del Nido.
A mazy run from winger Jesus Navas led to a second for the
home side with 10 minutes left. The Spain international burst
into the penalty area and his low centre ricocheted into the net
off the hapless Alvarez.
Atletico Madrid host Racing Santander in their last-four
first-leg match on Thursday.