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Europa League, day 3

The mid-way stage of this season's Europa League, and all three Spanish sides are currently in the qualifying spots after tonight's games. Sevilla top group H after a 1-1 draw at second placed Slovan Liberec, although it was only after local keeper Kovar was sent off that Vitolo got a late equalizer. And Betis are joint leaders of group I together with Olympique Lyon, Vadillo getting the only goal in a narrow 1-0 win against Vitoria Guimaraes. Later in the evening Valencia thrashed St. Gallen 5-1, an early strike by Alcácer, two by Fede and another by Ricardo Costa putting the Ches four up at the break, and Canales adding the fifth before the Swiss side got one back late on. The result takes Valencia up to second in group A, a point behind leaders Swansea. (24.10.13)

Slovan Liberec 1 - Sevilla 1

Sevilla ended day three at the top group H after a 1-1 draw at second placed Slovan Liberec, although they only saved a point thanks to a strike by Vitolo with tw minutes to go. The Czech side had the better of the opening minutes, Rabusic putting them ahead with a low shot after picking up a pass from Pavelka. Javi Varas had to save two efforts from Rybalka and Rabusic went close a couple of times either side of the break, and it was only when Emery brought on Vitolo and Bacca that things improved. With a quarter of an hour to go local keeper Kovar was sent off for bringing down Bacca outside of the area, and although Gameiro missed the easiest of chances from the resulting free kick, the French striker put Vitolo through near the end for him to beat substitute keeper Hrosso from a tight angle.

Betis 1 - Vitoria Guimaraes 0

Betis are joint leaders of group I together with Olympique Lyon after a narrow 1-0 win against Vitoria Guimaraes. After two recent defeats in the league and draws in their opening two Europa League games, Pepe Mel's side needed a victory to restore confidence. The Portuguese side started two points above their hosts though, and Malonga fired a shot just over the top with only a couple of minutes gone. Molina responded with a shot which Douglas did well to keep out, and five minutes in to the second half Vadillo picked up a return pass from Verdú before poking the ball wide of the visiting keeper to open the scoring. Matias missed a good chance and Andersen had to make important saves from Paulo Oliveira and Russi as the visitors came looking for the equalizer, but Cedrick could have wrapped things up had he not come up against Douglas in the closing minutes of the game.

Valencia 5 - St. Gallen 1

Valencia got their Europa League campaign back on track after thrashing Sankt Gallen 5-1 on Thursday evening. Canales and Dani Parejo both brought early saves out of Lopar before the keeper could only punch out a long shot by Piatti, Paco Alcácer drilling the rebound back past the keeper to put the Ches ahead. Fede added two more in the next twenty minutes, both with shots from the edge of the area which hit defenders and bounced through the hands of the unfortunate keeper, and Ricardo Costa headed in the fourth after Víctor Ruíz headed back a Parejo cross. Lejani finally put Guaita to the best before the break, but Alcácer, Piatti, Canales and Fede all had chances to add to the scoreline either side of half time. With twenty minutes to go Parejo hit the woodwork with a free kick, and a minute later Canales fired another free kick inside Lopar's post to make it five. Nater did get a late consolation for the Swiss side as Valencia relaxed, but it was a morale boosting win which takes Djukic's team up to second in group A, a point behind leaders Swansea, who were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by Kuban Krasnodar.