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Sevilla 1 - 2 AZ

UEFA CUP: Arveladze steals Sevilla's thunder

/noticias.info/ Shota Arveladze struck twice to give AZ Alkmaar top spot in Group C and condemn holders Sevilla FC to their first defeat in 12 UEFA Cup games.

Late drama
The Spanish title challengers started brightly and eventually claimed their reward soon after half-time through Ernesto Chevantón's penalty, but their Dutch rivals responded with Arveladze's double - the second deep into stoppage time - to claim supremacy in the section.

Near misses
AZ had the first sight of goal as well as the last, with Simon Cziommer trying his luck from 18 metres, but this only prompted Sevilla into action and Julien Escudé's drive forced goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus to make a superb reflex save. A scrappy period of play ensued before Brazilian full-back Daniel Alves raced down the right and delivered a pinpoint cross that was headed wide by Jesús Navas.

Goal action
The hosts continued to press and would have had an interval lead but for another outstanding stop from Waterreus, this time to keep out a stinging strike from the influential Alves. However, Sevilla got their just deserts seven minutes after the break when David Mendes da Silva brought down Chevantón and the Uruguay striker dusted himself down before tucking away the spot-kick. Louis van Gaal's men reacted well and equalised ten minutes later as Arveladze beat Sevilla goalkeeper David Cobeño with a clinical finish.

Arveladze coup
Chevantón almost doubled his tally with a stunning 20-metre effort which was pushed out by Waterreus, before Stijn Schaars let fly from a similar distance at the other end only for Cobeño to produce an equally good stop. Then, with a draw looking the likely outcome, Arveladze stole all three points when he rifled in his fifth UEFA Cup goal of the campaign from 18 metres three minutes into added time. notas_de_prensa_archivo