Super Eagles forward Chidera Ejuke was the hero as 10-man Sevilla clinched a 2-1 win over Real Valladolid at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium on Tuesday night.
Ejuke, who joined Sevilla this summer following the expiration of his contract with CSKA Moscow, opened his club account with the match-winner in the 85th minute having come on as a second half substitute.
LATE EJUKE MAGIC GIVES US THE THREE POINTS 🔥🇳🇬#SevillaFCRealValladolid pic.twitter.com/S2jW3u1Ku2
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) September 24, 2024
The hosts got ahead in first half stoppage time through an own goal from Valladolid defender David Torres, who turned in a low cross from Belgian forward Dodi Lukebakio.
However, the visitors replied 11 minutes into the second half through Kike Perez, who was teed up by Real Madrid loanee Mario Martin.
Ejuke, who replaced captain Jesus Navas in the 61st minute, needed only 24 minutes to make his impact felt as the 26-year-old latched on to a loose ball before dribbling past three Valladolid defenders to finish with a sublime strike into the bottom corner.
The former Royal Antwerp forward, who was making his sixth appearance for Garcia Pimienta’s side, earned Sevilla a vital win, their second of the season.
Ejuke’s countryman Kelechi Iheanacho started the game but the former Leicester City man was subbed off in the second half.
Sevilla are currently 12th in the La Liga standings with eight points after seven matches, while Valladolid are 18th with five points.
