Sevilla get back in the groove

Luis Fabiano made up for his and Sevilla FC's weekend disappointment with two goals as the Spanish side beat FK Partizan 3-0 at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán to move into second place in Group C.

Impressive run
The Brazilian striker was dismissed on Saturday as Sevilla were swept aside 3-0 at home by FC Barcelona but he quickly set about making amends against Partizan. After three defeats the Serbian visitors' UEFA Cup ambitions were already over and Luis Fabiano put them on course for a fourth loss when he converted from the penalty spot soon after the half-hour. He struck his ninth goal in six games midway through the second period, by which time it was 2-0 thanks to an effort from compatriot Renato.

Partizan concern
In truth, Partizan were in trouble from the start. Not long after kick-off Portuguese midfielder Almani Moreira collapsed and was taken off on a stretcher as both sets of players looked on with concern. When the match restarted it was the hosts who took the initiative. They had already tried their luck on a number of occasions before Ivan Stevanović brought down Jesús Navas inside the penalty area on 32 minutes and Luis Fabiano drilled his conversion into the bottom corner.

Long-range efforts
Within 60 seconds of the second half it was 2-0, as Renato rifled in from outside the box, and another long-range attempt sealed the win 17 minutes from time, as Luis Fabiano notched his second. It delivered the victory that coach Manolo Jiménez had demanded in the wake of the 1-0 defeat by R. Standard de Liège last time out, and left the 2006 and 2007 UEFA Cup winners on six points. A draw against UC Sampdoria in a fortnight will seal progress. For Partizan, the focus switches to domestic competition.