Sevilla gain opening day win

Sevilla opened their La Liga season with a deserved win in an occasionally scrappy game at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Goals by Federico Fazio and Alvaro Negredo, the latter from a disputed penalty, within five first-half minutes ultimately proved enough for the hosts. Alexis, playing against the team from whom he is on loan, headed Getafe back into the game early in the second half but they could not find an equaliser and it was Sevilla who looked more likely to score again, with Ivan Rakitic hitting the crossbar. The first clear sight of goal did not arrive until 15 minutes in, when Diego Lopez comfortably blocked away Miku's shot. Pedro Leon's corner was then headed wide by the forward. Defender David Abraham, still forward following another corner as the visitors enjoyed a spell of pressure, was unable to stretch far enough to steer an acrobatic effort on goal. Sevilla's clearest chance to date, just after the half-hour mark, went begging when Rakitic and the better-placed Negredo both went for Jesus Navas' low cross and got in each other's way. But they were ahead just two minutes later when Rakitic's corner was cleared back to him and the Croatian's second cross was glanced home by giant defender Fazio. Negredo coolly converts The second came when they were awarded a penalty with only another two minutes on the clock after Juan Valera was adjudged to have fouled Jose Antonio Reyes, who went down easily. After a long delay, with Valera booked and keeper Miguel Moya receiving treatment for a knock sustained as Fazio scored the first goal, Negredo stepped up to calmly stroke the ball home. Cicinho sliced a wild effort wide after making an excellent run in support of Navas as Sevilla's half-time advantage remained at two goals. Miku was again in the action early in the second half but saw his shot repelled by the feet of Diego Lopez. But Getafe were on the scoreboard in the 51st minute when Pedro Leon delivered another corner from the right and Alexis rose highest to peg back his regular employers. Valera was off target after meeting another flag-kick after Angel Lafita's long-range free-kick was deflected wide. Negredo was denied his second goal by an offside flag before being replaced by Papa Diawara, whose right-footed drive was brilliantly saved by Moya. David Abraham prevented Diawara converting Navas' cross and Piotr Trochowski's cross flashed across the six-yard box with substitutes Manu Del Moral and Diawara failing to anticipate it. Rakitic beat David Abraham but saw his drive touched against the bar by Moya and Javi Hervas also went close as Sevilla finished strongly, though Miku headed wide for Getafe deep into stoppage time. From fifa