• Friday, 06 December 2024

Sevilla sack boss Diego Alonso following home defeat to Getafe

Sevilla sack boss Diego Alonso following home defeat to Getafe

London, 17 December 2023 (PA Media/dpa/MIA) - Sevilla have sacked head coach Diego Alonso after a disastrous two-month spell in charge following a 3-0 home defeat to Getafe in LaLiga.

 

Borja Mayoral put the visitors in front from the penalty spot early on after Juanlu Sanchez was deemed to have handled the ball in the area and Jaime Mata's low shot made it 2-0 after 37 minutes.

 

The unfortunate Sanchez was again penalised for handball 10 minutes from time and on-loan Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood made no mistake from 12 yards.

 

Sevilla won just two of Alonso's 14 games in charge, both in the Copa del Rey, and Saturday's defeat leaves them above the relegation places on goal difference, with 10-man Celta Vigo moving out of the drop zone courtesy of a 1-0 win over Granada.

 

Jorgen Strand Larsen scored the only goal in the 20th minute with a clever backheel after the visitors failed to clear a corner. Iago Aspas was sent off 10 minutes from time for a foul on Oscar Melendo, but the home side held on.

 

Barcelona's winless run extended to three matches after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Valencia.

 

Joao Felix tapped in from Raphinha's cross to give the visitors the lead early in the second half, but Hugo Guillamon curled a superb equaliser into the top corner after 70 minutes to leave Xavi's side six points behind leaders Girona.

 

Athletic Bilbao are within three points of Barca following a 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid, Gorka Guruzeta and Nico Williams striking second-half goals to deservedly secure all three points at San Mames.

 

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored the decisive goal as reigning Serie A champions Napoli returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Cagliari.

 

The game suddenly sparked into life in the second half with three goals in six minutes, Victor Osimhen firing the hosts ahead and Leonardo Pavoletti quickly equalising before Kvaratskhelia had the final say.

 

Empoli remain in the relegation zone after losing 1-0 at Torino, while Lecce beat Frosinone 2-1 to swap places with their opponents in the table.

 

Photo: EPA