Valencia 1-1 Sevilla
Los Che may be struggling this season, but they are nothing if not spirited.
Ninety-one minutes were on the clock when they rescued a point in the Mestalla Stadium just as Sevilla looked set to return home with a fine three points and move to the top of the La Liga summit.
Few SBOBET fans expect Sevilla to last the title pace but this game – one which will feature prominently in La Liga 2018 highlights – shows they have character in abundance. Moreover, a point is a good result as it was at Alaves last weekend despite the late concession.
How much they will rue twice hitting the woodwork in the second half, however, remains to be seen.
This also eased some of the extreme pressure on home coach Marcelino, under pressure after winning only one of eight home matches this term – not that you would have sensed their relief and delight at a last-gasp goal judging by the reaction of many of the fans at full-time.
Does this club really want a 14th manager in six years?
Highlights of the game
Both teams went into this one having made heavy weather of their second leg midweek victories in the Copa del Rey: Valencia needed Michy Batshuayi’s header to see off Ebro, while Sevilla were indebted to Andre Silva for scoring the only goal against Villanovense.
Sevilla probably also knew that, just before kick-off, Atletico Madrid had regained second spot in the table with a convincing victory over Alaves.
There were opportunities from the outset. Tomas Vaclik was called to action twice inside the first minute, first to keep out an Ezequiel Garay header and then deny the in-form Santi Mina.
Sergio Escudero then tested Neto from outside of the box, but it was the hosts who had the edge in terms of chances. The returning Rodrigo and Daniel Parejo both called Vaclik into action before Moreno, Goncalo Guedes and Parejo threatened just before the break.
Valencia began the second period just as they had the first, and Carlos Soler saw a shot saved.
Sevilla knew they had to show more in attack and, after Franco Vazquez saw an effort blocked, Pablo Sarabia forced Neto to be alert.
What seemed to be the decisive moment arrived nine minutes after the restart.
The dangerous Wissam Ben Yedder saw his shot blocked, and Sarabia steered the rebound into the bottom right-hand corner for his fifth league goal of the season.
Had Ever Banega’s cracking shot not struck the post, Quincy Promes not just been too high, nor Vazquez, Sergio Escudero and Sarabia had shots blocked, Sevilla may have been out of sight.
Soler saw shots blocked, as did second-half substitute Denis Cheryshev – remember him? – as Valencia pressed for an equaliser. But again, Sevilla were desperately unlucky when Silva’s left-footed shot hit the post with the goal gaping.
Rodrigo went close with a header, yet Sevilla held the lead until stoppage time when skipper Parejo delivered into the danger zone. Mouctar Diakhaby was quicker to it and beat Vaclik to the ball to head home.
So honours even and it’s also a further advantage for Barcelona, who returned to the top last weekend, as they now contest the Catalan derby.
The reigning champions remain top on goal difference and will move three points clear if they see off Espanyol.
Despite the equaliser, Valencia fans actually whistled their team at full-time, disappointed with their ninth draw of the season.
They will soon be renamed Draw-lencia!
Key statistics
This was Diakhaby’s first-ever La Liga goal.
The last time Valencia won a match in injury time was in Aril 2016, also against Sevilla at the Mestalla, with a goal from Alvaro Negredo.
Sarabia have been involved in 11 goals in La Liga this season (five goals, six assists). That is the second-highest for a midfielder in the major five European Leagues after Marseille’s Florian Thauvin (13) in Ligue 1.
Top of Form
What’s next?
Manchester United are the visitors to the Mestalla in midweek in what is a ‘dead rubber’ of a Champions League tie.
They are then back in La Liga action when they travel to Eibar.
Sevilla have two home matches in four days.
FC Krasnodar are the visitors in the Europa League with all to play for in terms of qualifying for the knockout stage. Next Sunday (December 16), Girona are the visitors in the early La Liga kick-off.
La Liga 2018 betting odds on the Andalusians are worth considering.
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