Local boy Jose Angel Carmona scored two goals and delivered an assist in Sevilla’s pivotal 3-2 win at Espanyol on Saturday evening. It’s a precious result for under-fire Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui, who will probably get to keep his job thanks to young Carmona.In the past several weeks, not much has been right at either of these clubs. Espanyol are at war with their best player Raul De Tomas, who has been out of the side since his transfer deadline day move to Rayo Vallecano fell through. Their visitors, Sevilla, have been in abysmal form since the start of the season with head coach Julen Lopetegui feeling the pressure.Los Nervionenses started off perfectly. Former Tottenham man Erik Lamela swooshed forward within the first minute onto Carmona’s pass and applied a fine left-footed finish under Alvaro’s legs.Sevilla struck again midway through the first half when Carmona seized the ball in the crowded box after the blue and whites failed to clear a corner and score on his first league start of the season.Former Newcastle and Deportivo Alaves striker Joselu came close to halving the deficit with a lovely turn and shot but was unlucky to see it crash off the post. Sevilla’s response was lethal. Jose Angel Carmona made it 3-0 on the stroke of halftime, but there was still time for Joselu to net a penalty just before the break, keeping his team at least remotely in the game.Espanol gave their best to get back on level terms before the end of the game, but the best they could do is reduce Sevilla’s lead to just a goal. Martin Braithwaite’s original header was beaten away by Bono, but the former Barcelona forward prod home the rebound to make it a nervous game with half an hour remaining.The final whistle brought colossal relief to Lopetegui, who was sweating on the touchline – both figuratively and literally.LA LIGA – ROUND 5FridayGirona – Valladolid 2-1 (1-1)/Reinier 21, Romeu 88 – Monchu 38/SaturdayRayo Vallecano – Valencia 2-1 (1-0)/Palazon 5, Nico 52 og – Diakhaby 90+3/Espanyol – Sevilla 2-3 (1-3)/Joselu 45+4 pen, Braithwaite 62 – Lamela 1, Carmona 26, 45/Cadiz – Barcelona22:00: (1.68) Atl.Madrid (3.80) Celta (6.25)Sunday15:00: (1.31) Real Madrid (6.00) Mallorca (10.0)17:15: (4.20) Elche (3.45) Ath.Bilbao (2.04)19:30: (3.70) Getafe (3.10) Sociedad (2.35)22:00: (3.00) Betis (3.30) Villareal (2.60)Monday22:00: (2.81) Almeria (3.05) Osasuna (2.95)***odds are subject to change***
