BARCELONA: Sevilla coach Vincenzo Montella earned his first win in La Liga at the third attempt as his side secured an impressive 3-0 victory at Espanyol on Saturday to go fifth in the standings.

Franco Vazquez knocked in a loose ball on the rebound after a well crafted move to put Sevilla in front after 15 minutes, the first time they had taken the lead in a Liga game under the Italian coach, who succeeded Eduardo Berizzo in December.

Pablo Sarabia added another before haltime and Luis Muriel rounded off the victory with a late third.

Sevilla lost to Real Betis and Alaves in their first two Liga games under Montella but were lifted by a late fightback that saw them beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in their King’s Cup quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.

On Saturday, Montella’s side doubled their advantage against Espanyol in the 34th minute with a scorching run through the defence and a top corner finish by midfielder Sarabia.

Espanyol, who defeated city rivals Barcelona 1-0 in their King’s Cup firt leg in midweek, improved after the interval and should have pulled a goal back when Leo Baptistao received the ball unmarked from close range but sent it flying over the bar.

Sevilla’s Colombia forward Muriel netted the third goal in the 90th minute with an impressive run past three defenders in the box and a powerful finish.

Sevilla, who face Manchester United in the last 16 of the Champions League, now have 32 points provisionally.

On Friday, Angel Rodriguez came off the bench to help Getafe salvage a 2-2 draw after twice trailing Athletic Bilbao.

Rodriguez entered the match shortly after his team missed a penalty kick early in the second half, scoring the equaliser with a shot from close range in the 74th minute.

The result extended Getafe’s unbeaten streak at home to seven matches in all competitions.

Inaki Williams put the visitors ahead in the 13th minute at Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Jorge Molina evened the match by converting a penalty kick in the 21st and Raul Garcia put Athletic ahead again three minutes into the second half.

Molina had a penalty stopped by Athletic goalkeeper Iago Herrerin in the 51st.

Getafe moved to seventh in the standings with 27 points from 20 matches. Athletic, unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions, are in 10th place with 26 points.

Barcelona, who are nine points clear at the top, visit Real Betis on Sunday.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2018