Sevilla took over first place from Barcelona in Spain's La Liga, coming from behind to beat Barca, 2-1, in a wild match on Saturday.
Barcelona was cruising in the first half thanks to <Ronaldinho's goal in the 13th minute and looked to add a second when Sevilla defender <Aitor Ocio was sent off for bringing down the Brazilian star for a penalty. But Sevilla goalie <Palop saved Ronaldinho's penalty kick to turn the tide.
Sevilla's Russian star, Alexander Kerzhakov, tied the score shortly before the break, and <Daniel Alves put Sevilla ahead with a free kick in the 61st minute. Barca later had Frenchman <Ludovic Giuly and Italian <Gianluca Zambrotta sent off, and it finished with nine players. Sevilla is first with 50 points, one ahead of Barcelona, which dropped to second but has a game in hand.
''We can't cry over one defeat,'' said Barca coach <Frank Rijkaard. ''It was an important game, and we let slip a great opportunity, but one match does not decide the league.''
Fernando Morientes' goal gave third-place Valencia a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo and moved it into third place, four points behind Sevilla. Real Madrid is in fourth, six points behind Sevilla, after its 1-1 tie with Getafe at home.