Date:22/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/22/stories/2006122206272000.htm

Sport - Football

Easy win for Sevilla

MADRID: Sevilla finished the year on a high with a 4-0 win over Deportivo Coruna on Wednesday, ensuring it remains top of the Primera Liga over the Christmas break.

Striker Frederic Kanoute scored two goals to take his tally for the season to 14, Luis Fabiano weighed in with a fine header and fellow Brazilian Daniel Alves struck a superb free kick to spark wild celebrations at the Sanchez Pizjuan.

Real Madrid slipped to an embarrassing 3-0 home defeat by Recreativo Huelva in a match overshadowed by the death of three visiting fans and the driver after a supporters' coach crashed on the way to the game.

Former Liverpool striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle hit the first goal 10 minutes before halftime after spinning past World and European Player of the Year Fabio Cannavaro.

Nigerian striker Ikechukwu Uche added to Cannavaro's misery when he shimmied past the Italian before firing in the second goal seven minutes after the break.

Midfielder Emilio Viqueira completed the rout with a stunning freekick in the final minute.

The results:

Primera Liga: Real Madrid 0 lost to Recreativo Huelva 3; Sevilla 4 bt Deportivo Coruna 0; Celta Vigo 0 drew with Real Sociedad 0; Getafe 0 lost to Espanyol 1; Gimnastic 0 lost to Real Betis 1; Osasuna 2 bt Levante 1; Racing Santander 2 bt Villarreal 1.

Serie A: AC Milan 3 bt Catania 0; Atalanta Bergamo 1 lost to Udinese 2; Cagliari 0 lost to Fiorentina 2; Chievo Verona 3 bt Reggina 2; Empoli 1 bt Siena 0; Lazio 0 lost to Inter Milan 2; Messina 1 drew with Parma 1; Palermo 4 bt Ascoli 0; Sampdoria 4 bt Livorno 1; Torino 1 lost to AS Roma 2. — Agencies