Sevilla crush sorry Grasshoppers

Holders Sevilla FC confirmed their progress to the UEFA Cup Round of 32 with a convincing 4-0 victory at Grasshopper-Club.

Grasshoppers eliminated
Daniel Alves struck twice and Ernesto Chevantón and Kepa Blanco added a goal apiece as Juande Ramos's side moved level on seven points with Group C leaders AZ Alkmaar, who were held 2-2 by FC Slovan Liberec. For Grasshoppers, the standings make painful reading, a third successive defeat leaving the Swiss club eliminated with a match to spare.

Alves opener
Sevilla had already threatened through Uruguayan forward Chevantón – who was denied by home goalkeeper Fabio Coltorti – when they took the lead on 12 minutes. Alves cut through the Grasshoppers defence with some clever footwork before firing past Coltorti, who got a hand to the ball but was unable to stop it finding the net.

Goalkeeper kept busy
It was a busy night for Coltorti with the Spanish team pouring forward in search of a second and he produced a brilliant one-handed save to frustrate Chevantón from the edge of the area before turning Luis Fabiano's free-kick around the post. Although home substitute Biscotte Mbala Mbuta went close shortly after the restart with a shot across the face of goal, Sevilla soon doubled their advantage as Alves struck again on 53 minutes.

Goals flow
Fabiano's cross was half cut out by Luca Denicolà, but Alves collected the loose ball on his chest and rifled a right-footed drive low past Coltorti from ten metres. Chevantón, who had scored in the 2-0 win against SC Braga last time out, put the game beyond doubt shortly after the hour when he bundled home Christian Poulsen's defence-splitting pass at the second attempt after Coltorti had parried the initial effort.

Icing on the cake
Although Diego León and Eduardo tested Sevilla goalkeeper Andrés Palop, there was no way back for Grasshoppers and Kepa put the icing on the cake for Sevilla when he got his head to Chevantón's inviting cross with six minutes remaining.