Valencia 0 : 1 Sevilla - Sevilla hopes alive after Valencia victory

Posted Sunday, March 20, 2011 by PA

Sevilla kept their chances of achieving top-four finish alive with a fine 1-0 win at Valencia.

Ivan Rakitic scored the only goal midway through the second half, slamming home a loose ball to put his side to within 12 points of Valencia who occupy fourth spot.

They were indebted to goalkeeper Javi Varas for the win, with his string of fine saves keeping Valencia at bay.

Spain winger Jesus Navas was the first to look likely for Sevilla, forcing his way into the box before flashing an effort across goal.

Valencia then thought they should have been awarded at least one penalty, with Roberto Saldado being brought down in the box by Mouhamadou Dabo, with the same man then colliding with Joaquin.

Jonas then found himself well set in the box for Valencia, but fell over as he attempted to hit the target, while at the other end, Alvaro Negredo broke clear but hit the near post instead of going across the goalkeeper.

Jonas then broke through on Sevilla`s goal, but, as Varas stormed out, the striker dinked an effort wide of his right-hand post.

Navas volleyed wide after the restart, before Jonas thumped the woodwork after taking in a Soldado pass.

Frederic Kanoute put a free header over Valencia's bar from a corner and Varas then began to excel, palming Juan Mata`s chip on to his bar, before using his thigh to bundle a Jonas header away.

Valencia were then made to pay, with Rakitic firing in an unstoppable half-volley after a blocked Negredo shot fell to him.

Varas beat away a Joaquin volley as Valencia looked to snatch a leveller, but they could not find their way through.