Goalkeeper on target to rescue UEFA Cup holders

Sevilla came back from the dead to advance to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup tonight.

The holders needed a last-minute goal from goalkeeper Andres Palop to force extra-time and an Ernesto Javier Chevanton strike on 105 minutes knocked out a stubborn Shakhtar Donetsk side.

Sevilla had almost entirely dominated the first-half, but it was Shakhtar who started brightest after the break and the home side went ahead on 49 minutes.

Brazilian striker Francelino Matuzalem appeared to have no chance of converting Fernandinho’s left wing cross, but improvised brilliantly to fire a scorpion-style hooked effort past Palop.

Sevilla equalised in the 52nd minute, when former West Brom midfielder Enzo Maresca headed powerfully past Schust after Daniel Alves had crossed superbly from the right flank.

After Fernandinho tried his luck from distance, the Ukrainians took the lead in the 83rd minute through an angled drive from substitute Elano.

But Sevilla were not finished and dramatically forced extra-time when the unmarked Palop rose to head home Alves’ corner in the dying seconds.

Chances were few and far between in extra-time, but Sevilla got a deserved winner on 105 minutes, when Chevanton fired past Schust to break local hearts.