Girona 5-1 Sevilla: Dovbyk hits hat-trick as Girona thrash visitors to reclaim top spot

Girona striker Artem Dovbyk scored a quick-fire, first-half hat-trick to help them to a 5-1 home win over Sevilla on Sunday, reclaiming top spot in LaLiga.

Surprise package Girona are alone at the top with 52 points, one ahead of Real Madrid, who defeated Almeria earlier on Sunday and have one game in hand. Sevilla remain in 17th place with 16 points, one point clear of the relegation zone.

With the victory, the Catalans set an all-time club points record for a top-flight season.

"We are very happy because we have achieved one of our goals, which was to reach 52 points, the first was to avoid relegation," Girona coach Michel told DAZN.

"The third objective was to finish in the top three, now we have the target of reaching European competitions and step by step we will see if we can do it."

The visitors took an early lead with Isaac Romero's goal after 10 minutes, but it was short-lived as Dovbyk's towering header in the six-yard box from Savio's cross leveled things in the 13th minute.

Dovbyk put Girona ahead two minutes later on Portu's pass after a break, and the Ukraine international completed his hat-trick in the 19th minute with a fine low shot for his 14th league goal of the season.

That brought the 26-year-old level with Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham at the top of the LaLiga scoring charts.

Girona extended their lead in the 55th minute when Viktor Tsygankov scored with a simple finish off Savio's second assist of the night, before substitute Cristhian Stuani completed the rout in the final minute of regular time.

"We are not aware of how difficult it is to achieve this," Girona forward Portu said. "You can feel the happiness on the pitch. The day-to-day is spectacular. You can see the happiness."

Girona will face Mallorca in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals on Wednesday before traveling to Celta Vigo for LaLiga on Sunday.

SportsLigue