Friday, May 18th, 2012
Granada staged a dramatic late comeback to inflict Sevilla’s first defeat of the season in a fascinating Andalusian derby at the Sanchez Pizjuan.
Sevilla had suffered a setback when they lost their 100% home record to Racing last midweek, but they way they started they seemed certain to put that disappointment behind them. Manu del Moral - who had scored twice against Racing – opened the scoring inside the first minute. Jesus Navas burst down the right and his cross fell for Martin Caceres, his shot was parried by Roberto but only as far as Manu who volleyed in.
The hosts could have had the game wrapped up in the first 15 minutes as Piotr Trochowski and Manu were denied by five saves from Roberto.
The one-way traffic continued into the second-half as Roberto kept Granada in it with saves from Trochowski, Navas, Ivan Rakitic and Manu again.
However the game was turned on its head with 12 minutes remaining as Granada scored only their third goal of the season, Odion Ighalo saw his shot come off the bar and Alexandre Geijo headed the rebound powerfully home.
Sevilla instantly went back on the attack but were caught out again in the final minute when Ighalo nodded down to Mikel Rico on the edge of the area who smashed the ball past Varas to give Granada their first away win of the season and move them off the bottom of the table.
FT: Sevilla 1 (Manu 1) Granada 2 (Geijo 78, Rico 90)
