PALMA, Spain: Erik Lamela came off the bench to earn Sevilla a point and joint top spot in La Liga with a stunning second-half equaliser in a 1-1 draw away to Real Mallorca on Wednesday.
Sevilla were subdued in the first half at the Son Moix and trailed in the 22nd minute when Amath Ndiaye’s low cross was converted from close range by Antonio Sanchez.
The visitors had a let-off early in the second when Mallorca wasted a gilt-edged chance to double their lead when Angel Rodriguez thumped a close-range effort against the post.
But they began to dominate and Argentine forward Lamela, who replaced Suso in the in the 53rd minute, levelled in the 73rd minute when he cut in from the right before planting an unstoppable curling shot past Manolo Reina into the top corner.
Mallorca had Jaume Costa red-carded late on for hacking down Lamela and the visitors thought they had snatched a victory deep in stoppage time when Lucas Ocampos tapped in from close range but after a lengthy VAR check the goal was ruled out for a handball in the build-up, sparking rage amongst the visitors.
Sevilla moved briefly top with 21 points from 10 games, ahead of Real Sociedad and Real Betis on goal difference, although Real Madrid replaced them later despite drawing 0-0 at home to Osasuna. Real also have 21 points.
Mallorca, who were hugely relieved to gain a point after conceding twice in stoppage time in a 2-2 draw at Valencia on Saturday, are in 12th place with 13 points.
“If they tell us that we are going to draw against Sevilla at home, anyone would have signed for it,” goal scorer Sanchez said. “Once again the team played a very good game and it would have been a hard blow to have lost today.”
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
