Match reports

2-1: SEVILLA FC BEAT A TRICKY HUESCA AFTER HAVING TWO GOALS RULED OUT BY VAR

28/10/2018

With two goals ruled out in the first half by VAR, by Carriço and André Silva, Sevilla were still drawing halfway into the second-half. The constant efforts to knock down Huesca's wall eventually paid off and the victory came with two goals from Sarabia.

A hard-fought and well-deserved win for Sevilla, who, despite playing the bottom-placed team, did not have an easy match. VAR, which ruled out two goals for offside, and Francisco's defensive system made things tough for Sevilla, who managed the breakthrough with a double from Pablo Sarabia with two great assists from Ben Yedder and Franco Vázquez.

It was a cold night and a slow start to the game for Sevilla, who took a while to impose themselves on the game and create dangerous chances. There were only a couple of shots for Jovanovic to deal with, first from Franco Vázquez and then from Jesús Navas. The away side managed one dangerous shot, but Vaclik was there to save.

And then the key moment arrived. In barely five minutes, VAR ruled out two of Sevilla's goals, from Carriço and André Silva. Furthermore, in this sequence of play, Kjaer had to leave the pitch through injury, with Mercado replacing him. There would only be one more shot from Huesca until the end of a half between a Sevilla startled by the two ruled-out goals and a Huesca who were only thinking of maintaining the draw.

VAR ruled out two of Sevilla's goals in the first-half, first from Carriço and then André Silva

Soon after the beginning of the second half, Pablo Machín was forced to make another change due to an injury. André Silva, who received a knock from Semedo in the first half, was unable to carry on and Promes came on in his place. Huesca tried to take advantage of Sevilla’s brief fragility and they almost went ahead after a clear chance for Hérnandez after a cross from the right-hand side. And that was as optimistic as the travelling fans were allowed to be in their team’s chances at the Sánchez-Pizjuán.

Sevilla upped their level in the face of adversity with Ben Yedder forcing Jovanovic into an excellent save on the hour mark and Navas also threatened the goal a minute later, but the third effort was to be the straw that broke the camel’s back. Ben Yedder fought well to retrieve a ball at the by-line that appeared to be Semedo’s and squared the ball for Sarabia to tap home. Playing with increased composure after the goal, Sevilla began to control the possession and prevented the visitors from getting out of their defensive third. Franco Vázquez, completely free virtually on the goal line, had the chance to finish the game off, but he was unable to make a clean contact with the cross with his left foot.

Sarabia grabbed a brace in the second half from assists by Ben Yedder and Franco Vázquez

Vázquez refused to settle for this disappointment, and barely two minutes later, played an exquisite pass for Sarabia to get his second and kill the game off, and secure Sevilla’s sixth win of the season in La Liga. Pulido grabbed a goal for Huesca at the end of stoppage time, but there was barely any time left even for the kick-off. Machín’s men sit third on 19 points after 10 games, On Thursday they visit Villanueva de la Serena to get their Copa del Rey campaign underway and next Sunday they will head to the Anoeta to face Real Sociedad for matchday 11 of the league.

MATCH SUMMARY

2. SEVILLA FC: Vaclik, Sergi Gómez, Kjaer (Mercado, 24’), Carriço, Jesús Navas, Arana, Banega (Roque Mesa 90’), Franco Vázquez, Sarabia, Ben Yedder and André Silva (Promes, 52’).

1. SD HUESCA: Jovanovic, Etxeita, Semedo, Miramón, Aguilera (Longo, 77’), Moi Gómez, Ferreiro, Cucho Hernández (Gallar, 82’), Pulido, Akapo and Gurler (Ávila, 63’).

GOALS: 1-0: Sarabia, 65’. 2-0: Sarabia, 78’. 2-1: Pulido, 93’.

REFEREE: Medié Jiménez, Catalonia. Yellow cards for Gurler, Carriço, Miramón, Arana and Ávila.