Valencia beaten in ugly clash at Sevilla
Reuters - Saturday 24 September 2011, 18:02
MADRID - Valencia squandered a chance to
go top of La Liga when Ever Banega fluffed a penalty and they
lost a bad-tempered clash 1-0 at nine-man Sevilla on Saturday.
Valencia finished with 10 men after Aritz Aduriz was sent
off for stamping on the foot of Emir Spahic with around 20
minutes left.
Sevilla midfielder Piotr Trochowski and defender Julien
Escude were dismissed in the 57th and 68th minutes respectively.
Sevilla's 34-year-old striker Frederic Kanoute galloped on
to a Jesus Navas pass to put the home side ahead in the 18th
minute at the Sanchez Pizjuan, before Banega struck his
69th-minute spot-kick against the post.
The referee had awarded the penalty after Escude felled
Aduriz when he was clean through on goal and was shown a
straight red.
Sevilla climb to second on 11 points from five games, one
ahead of third-placed Valencia and one behind surprise leaders
Real Betis, Sevilla's promoted city rivals who play at Getafe on
Monday.
Athletic Bilbao's new coach Marcelo Bielsa is still without
a win this season after his side drew 1-1 at home to Villarreal.