Sevilla Narrow Victors After First Half Goalfest

On any ordinary evening, Manuel Preciado's minnows would have been disappointed with defeat after scoring three goals away from home,. However, for the most part they were never actually in it, and Sevilla made hard work of proceedings while also suffering some bad luck.

Mate Bilic scored what appeared to be a hat-trick for Sporting in the first half (though one of those goals could be considered an own goal). Kanoute bagged a brace fore the hosts, but the star of the show was Sevilla playmaker Enzo Maresca who delivered a masterclass performance. The French forward sealed it in the end after Sporting goalkeeper Sergio spilled a superb strike from Ndri Romaric, straight into the former Spurs strikers path, but it was the end of a long fightback by the hosts.

Manolo Jimenez' side were desperate for victory after losing out on three points courtesy of a late Racing equaliser on Matchday 1. The coach sprung a few surprises, first leaving Navarro on the bench in favour of Dragutinovic at left back, and deploying Fazio in a holding role with new midfield editions Romaric and Duscher watching from the sidelines. The usual striking spot of a jaded Fabiano was taken up by Chevanton.

The hosts dominated the opening exchanges, with Sporting 'keeper forced into an excellent double save from close range with centre-back Prieto and Fazio going close. Maresca was pulling the playmaking strings with instant effect, and immediately it looked like being a long night for the visitors.

But the rug was set to be pulled from beneath the watching fans when Bilic diverted a shot from Diego Castro, after the attacking midfielder cut inside Konko all too easily and unleashed an effort on goal. Palop had no chance, and Sevilla were soon chasing the game.

The Sevilla defence was exposed again when Prieto was sucked away from his marker after left back Canella burst down the flank. The cross reached Bilic, who fired into the ground, and yet another deflection, this time off Dragutinovic, gave the visitors a two goal lead after just twenty minutes.

It was a bizarre turn of events given the flow of the game, but this was only the beginning. A quality Navas cross sailed along the six yard box, seemingly covered by the Sporting defence, only for debutant Jurgen Colin, blind to Chevanton's presence behind him, to allow the ball to reach the Uruguayan with the goal gaping. And minutes later, Sevilla were level. When the hosts were awarded a throw in, absent-minded Sporting right-back Sastre threw the ball to Capel who quickly found a free Maresca on the left wing. The Italian easily found Kanoute who bundled the ball home.

It was a dramatic and somewhat comedic comeback, with Sporting exposed in naive fashion.Within four minutes of Sevilla's first, they had their third, with Maresca turning his hand to goalscoring. The playmaker fired a superb effort from just outside the box, off the post and spinning into the net, and not without some more amateurish defending from Colin, who turned his back on the former Juventus man.

Just as Sevilla thought they had regained control of the game, a fantastic bit of play from Maldonado down the right side saw new signing Carmelo clipped in the box after receiving the ball. Bilic duly converted the spot kick, and we were all square again as the half time whistle blew.

Inevitably, the second half was a more timid affair than the twilight zone escapades of the first period. Romaric took to the field, replacing the rickety Prieto which saw Fazio drop back into defence, while Navarro came on for Drago at left back.

Maresca immediately tested the 'keeper with a wicked free kick, while Kanoute went mighty close with a header before finally netting what proved to be the winner.The Frenchman could have made it five, and it may have been crucial had Sporting converted one of two opportunities to tie things up again in the last five minutes.

So a win for Sevilla, but not in the manner Jimenez was expecting. Sporting's defending was calamitous for the most part, and the score did not reflect the game by any means, but Sevilla know they will need to be sharper throughout and tighter at the back if they to go for the big prizes this season.