Sevilla comes from a goal behind to thrash Zaragoza

Sevilla comes from a goal behind to thrash Zaragoza

Sevilla responded in style to their opening-day defeat to record their first Primera Division win of the season at the expense of Real Zaragoza.

Abdoulay Konko opened the scoring for the hosts in the eighth minute and Luis Fabiano re-established that lead in first-half stoppage time after Javier Arizmendi had stunned the home crowd with an equaliser.

Diego Perotti gave Manolo Jimenez's side breathing space with a third goal in the 57th minute and Luis Fabiano put the icing on the cake three minutes from time as memories of the 2-0 loss at Valencia last time out were swept aside.

Sevilla, without striker Frederic Kanoute following his dismissal in the Primera Division opener against Valencia, handed a first league start to summer signing Didier Zokora.

Abel Aguilar started on the bench for Zaragoza following international duty with Colombia, but winger Jermaine Pennant was passed fit after a slight injury.

The hosts needed less than eight minutes to make the breakthrough, Renato poking through for Konko to expertly slot his first Sevilla goal past Juan Carrizo.

The visitors looked to hit back swiftly with a right-footed shot from Leonardo Ponzio but Andres Palop was equal to it.

Renato then endeavoured to add a goal to his assist with a long-range blast only to see Roberto Ayala get in the way.

Former Tottenham midfielder Zokora marked his full debut for his new club with a yellow card in the 28th minute for a clumsy challenge on Ikechukwu Uche.

Jesus Navas had a sight of goal just after the half-hour to make it 2-0 but saw his long-range curler comfortably dealt with by Carrizo.

When the next goal arrived it came at the other end, silencing the vast majority inside the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Uche headed back across goal for an unmarked Arizmendi to fire home, seemingly catching a static Palop off-guard.

Sevilla came within a whisker of re-establishing their advantage nine minutes before the interval when Luis Fabiano flicked a left-footed shot past the out-rushing Carrizo but was denied by the left-hand post as the Zaragoza defence waited for an offside flag which never materialised.

The Brazilian was not to be denied in first-half stoppage time, however.

Alvaro Negredo flicked on a hopeful long ball and Luis Fabiano managed to get his foot to the ball ahead of Carrizo and lift a neat finish into Zaragoza net.

Uche had to be replaced by Herrera Ander three minutes before the break after seemingly sustaining a knee injury challenging for the ball.

The match took a distinct turn in the home team's favour in a 60-second spell shortly before the hour mark.

Arizmendi saw a seemingly good equaliser ruled out for offside when he appeared to be level with the last defender and, moments later, Sevilla were two goals to the good.

Defender Federico Fazio rampaged down the right wing and crossed for fellow Argentinian Perotti to unleash a fierce left-footed strike, which beat Carrizo at his near post.

Luis Fabiano almost stretched Sevilla's lead further in the 69th minute with a powerful downward header from Perotti's corner which Carrizo gathered at the second attempt.

The South American frontman did grab his second of the match in the 87th minute, however, lashing home at the second attempt after Manuel Lolo's glancing header had hit the post from Navas' corner.