MADRID, Dec 19: Girona returned to the top of the Spanish league after a comprehensive 3-0 win over mid-table Alaves on Monday.
The result lifted Girona two points ahead of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga and nine clear of third-place Barcelona.
Striker Artem Dovbyk scored two goals and winger Yan Bueno Cuoto dazzled on the right wing as Girona was far superior.
Alaves has gone 24 matches away from home without a win, the worst such run in the club’s history.
The surprise title contender took the lead midway through the first half when Dovbyk was on hand to nod home a rebound after Antonio Sivera could only parry Cuoto’s shot.
Cuoto was involved again four minutes before halftime when the tricky winger fed Portu, who spun and rifled in a low shot.
With an hour gone, Dovbyk made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after Cuoto was brought down in the box.
It was the Ukrainian striker’s 10th goal in 16 games. Only Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham has scored more.
Alaves was 13th place in La Liga, three points above the relegation zone. Its next match is at home to Real Madrid on Thursday.
Girona is at Betis on the same day.
Sevilla hires coach Flores to try to end poor run
Sevilla hired coach Quique Sánchez Flores on Monday to try to end its poor run and move further away from the relegation zone in the Spanish league.
Flores replaces Diego Alonso, the Uruguayan coach who was fired on Saturday after a 3-0 loss to Getafe at home. He left with the club in 17th place, just outside the relegation zone.
The 58-year-old Flores, who signed a contract until 2025, previously coached teams such as Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Espanyol, Benfica and Watford. He also coached in the United Arab Emirates and China.
Flores’ last job was with Getafe last season.
Under Alonso’s command, Sevilla was winless in eight league games and lost all four of its Champions League matches. Its only two wins under Alonso came against lower-division teams in the Copa del Rey. (AP)
