SEVILLE, Spain -- Stephane Mbia and Carlos Bacca scored within four minutes of each other as Sevilla beat Valencia 2-0 in the first leg of an all-Spanish Europa League semifinal on Thursday.
Deacon Jones Youth Jersey . With his back to goal, Mbia backheeled Ivan Rakitics bouncing free kick over goalkeeper Victor Guaita for the opener after 33 minutes. Mbia appeared to score after receiving in an offside position. Guaita could do little moments later as Bacca raced free into the area to fire a low shot past the outstretched Valencia goalie to put the Andalucian club in command and on the verge of its first final since winning the second of consecutive UEFA Cups in 2007. Sevilla keeper Beto denied late Valencia substitute Jonas from point-blank in the 87th to preserve the advantage, then Eduardo Vargas headed off the crossbar as Valencia nearly scored a valuable away goal. "We played a good game against a great rival," Bacca said. "Despite the result, it wont be easy in the return." Valencia must rebound in one week at its Mestalla Stadium with a place in the May 14 final at Juventus Stadium in Turin at stake. Benfica won 2-1 at home to Juventus in the other semifinal. Valencia was fortunate to only be two goals down after the first leg after it failed to produce any concrete opportunities while relying on Guaita for important stops. Valencia doesnt have to look far back for inspiration after overturning a 3-0 first-leg deficit against Basel to reach the last four. "Im happy with the team and the effort they made," said Valencia coach Juan Antonio Pizzi, whose club is looking to return to its first final since winning in 2004. "I dont think the result reflects the effort we made tonight." The visitors started brightly with Joao Perreira testing Beto with a swerving shot from outside the area, but the hosts took control after that through Rakitic. The Croatia midfielders free kick was headed on to the far post where Mbia, who appeared to be offside, got turned around trying to reach it as it bounced through his legs before recovering for the athletic score. Valencia looked demoralized right after Victor Perez combined with Bacca to play the Colombian through to create a two-goal cushion. "One of the most important things is that we didnt concede," Bacca said. "We could have had a third, but them too." Bacca was dangerous throughout, forcing Guaita to save his header and a solo effort set up by Rakitic in the 56th, either side of Guaitas save on Federico Fazios header. Sevilla midfielder Vicente Iborra headed over goal in stoppage time after Valencias final flurry of chances. "Were strong at home and we can come back from this," said Valencia forward Pablo Alcacer, who will miss the return after being booked for trying to avoid contact with Beto, who stuck his leg out at the Valencia midfielder in the closing moments. "Were going to try and get the yellow rescinded. Its clear I didnt do anything."
Bobby Evans Jersey . -- Athletics manager Bob Melvin is already starting to run out of superlatives to describe Scott Kazmir.
Jared Goff Youth Jersey . The Marlies surrendered two power-play goals and failed to score on six man-advantage opportunities en route to a 4-1 defeat in American Hockey League action on Saturday.TORONTO - Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri hates losing just as much as Torontos disgruntled fans but says theres no excuse for throwing jerseys on the ice.Other people are trying to enjoy the game as well . . . youve got to pay some sort of consequences especially when youre interrupting a game, he said Tuesday, a day after the Leafs were humiliated in a 4-1 home loss to the lowly Carolina Hurricanes.Three spectators who tossed their sweaters in disgust Monday night are paying the consequences. Police said Tuesday they had been charged under the provinces Trespass to Property Act and are facing fines as well as one-year bans from the Air Canada Centre for their actions.I guess thats a bit of a consolation, Kadri said following Torontos practice. You shouldnt be able to walk away scott-free from interrupting a venue.Jerseys have been tossed on the ice on occasion throughout the season. But fans frustration is mounting as Toronto has lost five straight and 13 of its last 16. One of the jersey-throwing incidents Monday night came during play, which was especially insulting to the players.Its frustrating, as players were not happy about it either we hate to lose just as much as the fans, Kadri said. One time throughout a season I think is probably enough but when it happens multiple times it gets a little disrespectful but theres not really much we can do about it now.Other fans took a more conventional — and legal — approach to showing their displeasure, wearing a paper bag over their heads. Toronto is a dismal 1-6 since firing head coach Randy Carlyle and promoting assistant Peter Horachek for the remainder of the season and has scored just twice over its last five losses.Theres the select few people who do that, I dont think it speaks for all of our fans, said defenceman Cody Franson. This is a process we want to get through with our fans, we dont want an us against them mentality by any stretch.Its unfortunate that stuff happens but at the end of the day were focused on what were doing in here and trying to get back into the win column.Horachek is offering his players simple advice regarding the latest jersey incident.I tell them all the time, Control what you can control, dont let other things distract or bother you, he said. They may see it and say Thats unfortunate, or something but Im not going to let it seep into the room.If I hear it Im going to say, Listen, thats not something to worry about. Our fans are very supportive, theyre very good. Theres a few people who do that and thats just the way it is.Spectators are warned about interrupting play or entering the field or playing surface while at pro sports venues. Fans will often throw hats on the ice when a player scores a hat trick but the tossing of jerseys — which can cost as much as $300 depending on the quality — or other items is verboteen.
Orlando Pace Jersey. .In the events that occurred last night, the investigators believed that the people should be given the fine and thats what occurred, said police spokesman David Hopkinson. But in the future, this can easily result in a criminal charge.Toronto (22-22-3) entered action Tuesday standing 10th in the Eastern Conference seven points behind the eighth-place Boston Bruins, who have a game in hand. The Leafs will get one last shot at snapping their losing streak prior to the all-star break Wednesday night when they visit the Ottawa Senators.The contest is important to Ottawa, which is 11th in the Eastern Conference, three points behind Toronto with three games in hand.Toronto finished last season losing eight straight in regulation and 13 of its final 16 games to miss the playoffs.It does feel a little similar, Kadri said. But that being said, weve got a little more grace time here to pick selves up and get going in the right direction.Under Carlyle the Leafs were more of an offensive team, at one point this season leading the NHL in scoring. But on many nights, Toronto goalies Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer were left to face 40-plus shots.Toronto has concentrated more on defensive play with Horachek calling the shots, three times allowing opponents 21 or fewer shots on goal. However, the Leafs have slipped to 10th overall in scoring and been outscored 24-9 in their last seven games.Horachek said Toronto often gets into trouble when its outscored in the first period. On Monday night, Carolina scored twice in the first and again just 48 seconds into the second to chase Bernier, who had faced just 13 shots.We started to press, Horachek said. Theres a lot of talk about goals and so you start to cheat and we did that in the first period.These last five games theyve scored in the first period . . . weve got to pay attention to either winning or tying first periods and putting ourselves in that position. The guys know theres a certain degree of urgency and we have to stick to the process of working hard defensively and offensively. Were not giving up offence, were just paying more attention to the defensive side of the game.Bernier isnt feeling extra pressure to perform because his club is struggling offensively.If you start worrying about other guys problems . . . obviously you get frustrated and get off your game, he said. As a goalie you just focus on your own game.Its funny because were playing better defensively than we used to and were just not getting points. We just have to stick to the program, stick to the process.NOTES — Forward Tyler Bozak didnt practise Tuesday for personal reasons but Horachek said hell play Wednesday in Ottawa . . . Toronto has called up forward Josh Leivo and defenceman Stuart Percy from the AHL Marlies.— With files from Gregory Strong in Toronto ' ' '
