By Justin Palmer
London - Ukraine champions Shakhtar Donetsk put a dent in Sevilla's bandwagon as the Uefa Cup holders wobbled before securing a 2-2 draw with a late penalty in their second knockout round, first-leg tie on Thursday.
Italian midfielder Enzo Maresca salvaged a draw for Juande Ramos's side but the Primera Liga leaders face a tough return in Donetsk next Thursday.
"We are still alive and I think we are capable of going there and winning," Maresca told Radio Marca. "This is a very important competition for us and we know how good it feels to win it."
None of the four Spanish sides in the last 16 could muster a victory. Celta Vigo were beaten 1-0 at home by Werder Bremen, Osasuna drew 1-1 at Rangers while Espanyol held firm and drew 0-0 in Israel with Maccabi Haifa.
Continues Below ↓
Goals were in plentiful supply at St James' Park where Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins scored twice as Newcastle United defeated AZ Alkmaar 4-2 in a pulsating match. Ireland striker Robbie Keane also notched a double, including a stoppage-time winner, as Tottenham Hotspur won 3-2 at Braga.
Sevilla, trying to become the first team to successfully defend the trophy since Real Madrid 21 years ago, made a flying start when midfielder Jose Luis Marti scored an eighth-minute penalty.
Shakhtar equalised a little over 10 minutes later when Czech defender Tomas Huebschman drilled home from close range.
After Sevilla twice hit the post before the break, Shakhtar went in front when Brazilian midfielder Matuzalem netted a penalty on the hour.
A shock defeat appeared on the cards until Maresca was hauled down and he fired in the third penalty of the game to spare Sevilla's blushes.
Newcastle, who began their European campaign back in mid-July and qualified via the Intertoto Cup, raced into a three-goal lead inside 23 minutes to stun Alkmaar.
Continues...
|
StumbleUpon
Reddit
Digg
Delicious
Newsvine
Facebook
muti
Twitter
