Espanyol have final in their sights

Espanyol moved a huge step closer to their second-ever Uefa final appearance with a 3-0 victory over Werder Bremen in the first…

Espanyol moved a huge step closer to their second-ever Uefa final appearance with a 3-0 victory over Werder Bremen in the first leg of their semi-final clash at Barcelona's Olympic Stadium.

Moises Hurtado, Walter Pandiani and substitute Fernando Corominas scored the goals for the Catalans - finalists in 1988 - as Werder finished the game with 10 men following the dismissal of goalkeeper Tim Wiese on 57 minutes.

Hurtado opened the scoring on 21 minutes when he headed home in a crowded penalty area before Pandiani doubled the lead on 50 minutes with a header from an Ivan De La Pena corner.

Wise was then sent off for hauling down Raul Tamudo before Corominas, on as a substitute, fired clincally home.

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In the other semi-final Osasuna claimed the upper hand in their clash with holders Sevilla.

Roberto Soldado scored the only goal of the all-Spanish clash in the 55th minute as hosts Osasuna, playing in their first-ever semi-final, built a narrow lead to take to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan for next week's second leg.

The match was halted for around seven minutes after referee Eric Braamhaar was unable to continue, with fourth official Peter Vink taking over after a lengthy delay during which the officials retreated to their dressing room.