Sevilla 1-2 Getafe

Sevilla slipped further off the title pace as their poor recent home form continued with a surprising defeat at home to Getafe.

Manolo Jimenez's side had failed to win either of their previous two league matches at the Sanchez Pizjuan, drawing disappointingly against Valladolid and Malaga.

The Andalusians have also failed to beat VfB Stuttgart and Espanyol at home this season, when they would usually be expected to brush aside such sides.

And they found themselves two goals down inside 33 minutes tonight against a plucky Getafe outfit.

Former Real Madrid striker Roberto Soldado grabbed both goals and, although Alvaro Negredo - another ex-Madrid man - pulled one back at the start of the second half, Sevilla were unable to find a way back into the game.

Sevilla began the day nine points behind league leaders Barcelona, albeit having played one game less than the Catalans.

And a win in this match would have kept them relatively in touch with Pep Guardiola's side.

However, things did not start well as Getafe took the lead after 12 minutes.

Dani Parejo picked out Jaime Gavilan with a long ball forward and the former Valencia midfielder crossed for the unmarked Soldado to finish easily.

It was a classic counter-attack and Sevilla were stunned.

And they almost went two down after 20 minutes but Andres Palop came off his line to save at the feet of Juan Albin.

Albin had scored twice as Getafe beat Tenerife 2-1 last weekend.

That victory was a third in four games for the Madrid-based side, who remarkably have failed to draw a single league match this season, having won seven and lost seven prior to this encounter.

And that statistic seemed unlikely to change as the visitors went two up after 33 minutes.

Albin crossed for Sergio Sanchez, who set up Soldado with a clever toe-poke for the ex-Madrid man to sweep home his second of the night from close range.

There were half chances for Arouna Kone and Diego Perotti at the other end but the home side looked out of sorts and must have been glad when half-time arrived.

A comeback looked on six minutes after the break, though, when Negredo poked the ball home at the far post after Getafe had failed to clear.

Fredi Kanoute then came close to equalising four minutes later but the Mali man saw his brilliant header superbly saved by Jordi Codina.

Sevilla dominated for the most part after that.

Kanoute and Negredo both came close to a leveller but the former shot wide and the latter's effort lacked the sufficient power to trouble Codina.

Getafe still looked dangerous on the break, though, and almost finished Sevilla off deep into injury time, when Pedro Leon charged forward on a great run only to see Palop push his shot around the post.

It mattered little, however, as Getafe held on for an eighth league win to consolidate eighth place in the table.

Sevilla stay third for now but could drop a place tomorrow.

More significantly, the Andalusians now find themselves well off the pace in the race for the title.