Mallorca, Sevilla end in stalemate

Mallorca and Sevilla played out an uninspiring 0-0 draw on this evening in a match played at times in torrential rain on the mediterranean island. The conditions played their part in a lacklustre game with few scoring opportunities for either team. Both sides were in need of a morale boosting victory, Sevilla coming off of their first defeat of the season at home by Granada last weekend. While Mallorca are yet to secure victory under new coach Joaquin Caparros in a run that now stretches to five matches. Javi Varas, the goalkeeper of the moment in Spain after saving a last minute penalty from Lionel Messi in Barcelona two weeks ago, was the best player on the night. Varas saved well in the first half from Emilio NSue from distance and early in the second from Chori Castro, but Mallorca offered less attacking options as the game went on and seemed content with a point by the full-time whistle. Sevilla, without an away victory all season, also offered very little in attack. The Andalusians were missing their two regular forwards Freddie Kanoute and Alvaro Negredo, both out with hamstring injuries, and it was no surprise that a fifth successive away draw was the height of their aspirations. They introduced 18 year-old Jose Campana and 19 year-old Luis Alberto with 30 minutes remaining, but they failed to add any cutting edge. Spanish international Jesus Navas was offered a chance to win it for Sevilla with six minutes remaining, but his shot from a wide angle was parried out by Dudu Aouate and both teams settled for a share of the points.