Manchester United loanee Alex Telles came off the bench for Sevilla at half-time to help the out of form team to a win over Espanyol.
Sevilla’s season had got off to an awful start, drawing and and losing three of their opening four La Liga games, entering this weekend in the relegation zone.
They also slumped to a 3-0 loss to Manchester City in the Champions League in midweek, with Telles peculiarly lining up on the left wing.
He was dropped to the bench for Saturday’s game away at Espanyol, who had just one La Liga win heading into the match.
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Telles praised after helping Sevilla to win
Sevilla had raced into a 3-1 lead at half-time, with Telles called upon to replace Marcos Acuna to help Sevilla to shore up their advantage.
Home side Espanyol came back into the game, but Sevilla were able to hold on to secure a 3-2 victory despite going down to 10 men in the final six minutes.
Spanish newspaper El Desmarque praised Telles’ performance for almost helping Sevilla to grab a fourth goal.
The report read: “He came out to replace Acuna and was one of the few who went up in the second half. He gave En-Nesyri a great assist in a counterattack that narrowly missed the mark.”
Telles has made two starts for Sevilla and three substitute appearances, which is more game time than he would have received if he stayed at Manchester United.
Tyrell Malacia’s signing in the summer shunted Telles down the pecking order, and he spent pre-season as a stand-in centre-back.
Another notable aspect of Sevilla’s win was the victory taking the pressure off under fire manager Julen Lopetegui.
El Desmarque report the first win of the season has, for now, saved Lopetegui’s job.
The Spanish boss was claimed to be on Manchester United’s manager shortlist, by The Guardian in March, before the Red Devils chose Erik ten Hag instead.
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