Arsenal suffer pain in Spain
Kanoute's penalty sealed Sevilla's win
Also In The News
|
Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have reached a provisional agreement to play a biennial tournament from 2009. |  |
Tuesday, 27, Nov 2007 10:45
Arsenal lost the lead of their Champions League qualifying group after going down to a 3-1 defeat away to Sevilla.
The Gunners had triumphed 3-0 at the Emirates in September's group H clash against the Spanish side, but Juande Ramos' former charges got their revenge with a deserved victory.
The evening had started well for the visitors as Croatian international Eduardo da Silva slipped by a challenge from Daniel Alves and slotted home to take the lead after ten minutes.
That advantage was wiped out 13 minutes later however as the recalled Gilberto Silva's chances of regaining his midfield berth were hit by a feeble clearance which Seydou Keita latched onto and cracked into the top corner.
The Brazilian pairing of Alves and Luis Fabiano combined to edge Sevilla ahead shortly after as the full-back's deep cross found his compatriot's forehead at the far post.
Former Tottenham striker Frederic Kanoute was a constant menace to his old north London rivals and spurned a presentable chance when an attempted volley spun well wide as the half drew to a close.
Both sides called on referee Eric Braamhaar with a series of penalty appeals after the break, but Arsenal's claims that Emmanuel Eboue had been upended and their opponent's pleas for a handball against the hapless Philippe Senderos were both given short shrift.
The Dutch official finally did concur when Kanoute hit the turf under pressure from Kolo Toure and Bakari Sagna and the ex-Spurs favourite dispatched the spot-kick to condemn Arsenal to their first defeat of the season.