Sevilla beat Atletico 1-0 in delayed league match

MADRID, Mar 24 (Reuters) Sevilla moved up to fifth place in the Primera Liga after edging a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid who ended the match with eight players.

The game yesterday ended well after midnight local time after it was held up for 40 minutes when objects were thrown on the pitch.

Referee Miguel Angel Ayza Gamez stopped the game 14 minutes from time when his attention was drawn to a glass whisky bottle that had landed on the pitch shortly after Atletico midfielder Peter Luccin had been sent off and Sevilla had taken the lead.

Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop complained that he had been hit by objects thrown by a group of fans at one end of the stadium.

After a short delay the referee led the players off the pitch and most of the crowd flooded out of the stadium, but the game was re-started 40 minutes later.

The contest then degenerated into farce with Atletico midfielder Martin Petrov being sent off less than a minute after play resumed. They then lost a third player before the end when defender Luis Perea also received his marching orders.

Sevilla held on without any difficulties to earn a win that boosted their chances of qualifying for Europe.

The Andalucians have 48 points, two ahead of sixth-placed Deportivo Coruna and five behind Valencia who are in fourth spot in the standings.

With nine games left to play reigning champions Barcelona are 12 points clear of Osasuna at the top of the table, while Real Madrid are a point further behind in third.

REUTERS AY BST1112