Getafe stun Sevilla, move away from drop zone

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posted on 15 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Jaime Gavilan scored the only goal of the game with nine minutes remaining.

New Delhi: Getafe eased their relegation worries by securing a stunning away day victory against top four favourites Sevilla and heaped pressure on Manolo Jimenez.

Jaime Gavilan raced clear to score the only goal of the game with nine minutes remaining while at the other end Vladimir Stojkovic performed heroics between the sticks to preserve the victory.

It was a crucial win that lifts Getafe into mid-table and leaves Jimenez's role at the club in doubt as the fans again whistled the team off the pitch after another unconvincing home display.

Los Azulones goalkeeper was given his debut by coach Victor Munoz after signing for the club in January and he proved that he could well become the club's number one with a commanding display to keep Sevilla out.

While numerous through balls and crosses evaded those in front of him, Stojkovic was quick off his line to claim passes on the ground and crosses in the air.

Sevilla were expected to pick up three more points against their struggling guests and cement themselves into fourth place, but instead they showed the side of their play that has had president Jose Maria del Nido considering a new trainer.

Eric Gerets has already put his name forward, while several other coaches are said to be in the frame and whoever does take the job will have a strong foundation to build on.

But Jimenez seems to have gone stale and he was unable to find a system or set of players to find a way through a defence that has leaked 46 goals already this term.

After a nervous start, Sevilla dominated possession despite not being able to create a chance of note until the 21st minute when Enzo Maresca forced Stojkovic into making his first save of the evening.

Eugen Polanski looked keen to prove to his critics that he can perform at the highest level in Spain and his effort had Andres Palop on his toes, while Luis Fabiano saw the keeper deny him at the other end.

The Brazilian striker had Sevilla's best two chances after the break as he hit the woodwork before nodding wide and those misses proved to be crucial as Getafe went on to net the only goal of the game.

Roberto Soldado was taken off and the space that he left, with Raul Albin taking up a slightly deeper position, allowed Gavilan to move past the Sevilla rearguard and down the left of the area before clipping the ball past Palop and into the net off the far post.

Moments earlier there had been a warning shot from Cosmin Contra, but after the goal it was one-way traffic as Sevilla pressed forward in search of the equaliser but Stojkovic was on form.

The keeper claimed everything that came his way and Diego Capel's repetitive crossing from the right flank did not test the custodian enough.

It was a win that has not effected Sevilla's position in the top four, but will have given Getafe a huge confidence boost and could be the game that turns their season around.