Sevilla 2-1 Barcelona, spanish League.

Sevilla Stun Barcelona In Potboiler Defending champions Barcelona surrendered a one-goal lead, missed a penalty and finished the game with nine men as they lost 2-1 at Sevilla on Saturday and were knocked off the top of the table. The result also meant the European champions head to Liverpool for their Champions League last 16 second leg clash, where they trail 2-1, in the worst possible mood.

Goals from Alexander Kerzhakov and Daniel Alves gave the Andalucians victory, while Aitor Ocio was sent off for the home team and Ludovic Giuly and Gianluca Zambrotta were dismissed for Barça. In a game that had a little of everything, the result has kept the race for the title wide open as Sevilla extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches in all competitions.

Barcelona had taken the lead after 14 minutes when Gianluca Zambrotta, who looked suspiciously offside, sprinted down the right-hand side and crossed for an unmarked Ronaldinho to head in his 17th goal of the season. Ronaldinho had the chance to make it 2-0 on the half-hour mark when he was brought down in the area by Aitor Ocio. The Sevilla defender was sent-off but keeper Andres Palop saved the spotkick.

Sevilla, whose coach Juande Ramos was knocked out by a bottle thrown from the Real Betis crowd in a midweek Spanish Cup tie, shrugged off the loss of Ocio when Russian international Alexander Kerzhakov, a winter recruit, levelled with a sweet turn and shot six minutes before the break. Impressive Brazilian Dani Alves then hit what proved to be the winner in the 61st minute before Barca's night fell apart.

French midfielder Ludovic Giuly was red-carded for a 62nd-minute foul on Alves before Zambrotta was also ordered off in the 76th minute for a second yellow card. Even the introduction of Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o from the bench in the 69th minute couldn't save Barcelona as Sevilla went top.

Spanish league, Sevilla 2-1 Barcelona goals: