Dovbyk hat-trick as Girona thrash Sevilla to reclaim Liga lead

English Woman's Journal - Dovbyk hat-trick as Girona thrash Sevilla to reclaim Liga lead

SPORTS 21.01.2024

Dovbyk hat-trick as Girona thrash Sevilla to reclaim Liga lead / Photo: LLUIS GENE - AFP

Artem Dovbyk struck a hat-trick inside seven minutes as minnows Girona powered back to the top of La Liga with a thumping 5-1 win over Sevilla on Sunday.

Change text size:

After Real Madrid scraped a controversial 3-2 win over bottom side Almeria and Ferran Torres's own treble helped Barca win 4-2 at Real Betis, Girona demonstrated their title credentials.

The Catalan club, in the top flight for only the fourth season in their history, are shock challengers for the Spanish title and lead second place Madrid by a point, having played one extra game.

Struggling Sevilla, 17th, who in recent years have dreamed of a title tilt themselves, took the lead when Isaac Romero slotted home Adria Pedrosa's low cross to put the visitors ahead.

However Michel Sanchez's sparkling Girona responded forcefully with Dovbyk netting a quickfire treble.

The Ukrainian striker headed home at the far post to level the score in the 13th minute and then struck again two minutes later from Portu's cut-back.

The third was better still, a fine individual goal, with Dovbyk cutting in from the right and driving home from range.

Portu struck the crossbar as the hosts strutted their stuff at their Montilivi stadium.

Viktor Tsygankov slid home Girona's fourth early in the second half after good work by winger Savinho and substitute Cristhian Stuani rounded off the rout late on.

K.McMillan--EWJ

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Tayyab Arif smashed an aggressive half-century on debut and provided a new-look Pakistan lineup a confident start to the first cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday. The 20-year-old Tayyab struck nine boundaries and a six in his 57-run knock as Pakistan reached 137-2 at lunch on a greenish wicket that lured Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis to bowl first after winning the toss.

English Woman's Journal - Dovbyk hat-trick as Girona thrash Sevilla to reclaim Liga lead