Sevilla send Barcelo to second straight away defeat

Sevilla, Oct 4: Champions Barcelo suffered their second defeat in three matches in La Liga on Saturday with Michael Krohn-Dehli scoring and setting up another goal in a 2-1 victory for Sevilla.

Denmark intertiol Krohn-Dehli tucked the ball home after 52 minutes following a pass from Kevin Gameiro to give Sevilla the lead and then provided a cross for Vicente Iborra to nod in six minutes later.

Barca hit the woodwork on four occasions but luck was not on their side as they lost their second consecutive away game following their 4-1 defeat by Celta Vigo, while for Sevilla it was some revenge for their European Super Cup loss in August.

Neymar struck the post with a free-kick after 23 minutes, with the ball then striking the woodwork again after rebounding off keeper Sergio Rico, and running across the goal line just out of the reach of Gerard Pique.

Suarez also fired against the crossbar with a curling effort from outside the area before half time but Barca’s defending was poor and they paid the price after the break.

Neymar scored from the pelty spot on his 100th appearance after a 74th minute handball from Benoit Tremoulis and then substitute Sandro Ramirez was denied by the woodwork with 10 minutes to go.

Barca have 15 points from seven games, a point behind leaders Villarreal who are away to Levante on Sunday.

Fourth-placed Real Madrid, on 14 points, take on Atletico Madrid who are one place and two points below them also on Sunday. IANS