Sevilla thump Slavia to end losing streak

SEVILLE, Spain, Oct 2 (Reuters) Sevilla put their debut Champions League campaign back on track with a 4-2 win over Slavia Prague in Group H today.

The UEFA Cup holders fell 3-0 to Arsenal in their opening group game before losing their next three Primera Liga matches.

Frederic Kanoute opened the scoring after eight minutes only for Slavia to equalise through Daniel Pudil.

Luis Fabiano, Julien Escude and Arouna Kone put the game beyond doubt before the Czechs replied through David Kalivoda in injury time.

Coach Juande Ramos's side climbed to second in the group with three points from two games, ahead of Slavia on goal difference.

Sevilla made a perfect start when Jesus Navas intercepted a poor pass out of defence to set off Kanoute down the right.

With Martin Vaniak out of his area, the Mali striker lifted the ball over the keeper from a narrow angle.

PUDIL PILEDRIVER Slavia levelled against the run of play when Matej Krajcik's centre from the byline zipped across the area for Pudil to score with a left-foot piledriver.

Luis Fabiano headed over with the goal gaping in the 24th minute, after more good work from Kanoute, but three minutes later he made amends.

Kanoute's clever flick from midfield set the Brazilian racing through on goal and he coolly rounded Vaniak.

Slavia, who won 7-1 in the league last Friday, came back strongly after the restart with Stanislav Vlcek and Tijani Belaid going close.

But Sevilla struck from a corner when Seydou Keita's flick-on was volleyed in from close range by Escude in the 58th.

The inspirational Kanoute created the fourth goal 11 minutes later when his pass set up substitute Kone for a one-on-one with Vaniak and the Ivorian slotted home.

Sevilla became sloppy near the end and keeper Andres Palop could only parry Milan Ivana's powerful shot for Kalivoda to score at the far post.

Reuters SBA VP0318