Espanyol 3-1 Sevilla: Sampaoli's side miss chance to capitalise on Barça draw

Sevilla failed to take advantage of Barcelona's draw at Real Betis as they were beaten 3-1 by Espanyol on Sunday. 

Jorge Sampaoli's side could have moved three points clear of Barca in the table, but were toppled by goals from their former player Jose Antonio Reyes, Marc Navarro and Gerard Moreno. 

Stevan Jovetic did level things up in the first half, applying the finish to a good team move, but an early red card for Nico Pareja meant things were always going to be difficult for Sevilla. 

Pareja was sent off with less than two minutes on the clock after hauling down Pablo Piatti as he raced clean through.  

Sevilla great Reyes scored from the spot, running to the travelling supporters to apologise for his goal. 

The away side reacted though and scored a glorious equaliser. Samir Nasri was heavily involved -- and there was also a fine Franco Vazquez pass -- as Jovetic equalised. 

Espanyol deservedly re-took the lead before half time when Navarro headed home following four corners for the home side. 

And any hopes of another late Sevilla comeback -- as they've done so oftem this season -- ended when Moreno made it 3-1. 

Reyes hit the bar and Moreno's initial header was then cleared off the line, but the ball came back into the box and Moreno was there to kill off the game.