Match reports

1-0: SEVILLA FIND THEIR GAME AND WIN AGAIN ON NAVAS' NIGHT

20/09/2017

A perfect night in the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán to pick up a fourth consecutive league victory. Though the game should have been over much sooner, the man in charge of breaking the deadlock and killing the game was one Jesús Navas himself, who scored a stunning goal and celebrated his 400th game in a Sevilla shirt in the best way possible

Though in the build up too much was said of other names, this was Jesús Navas' night and the Sevilla legend was not going to let it pass him by. If in the build-up his 400 Sevilla FC appearances were recognised, during the game, it seemed that this incisive footballer had never left Nervión. In the end, destiny dictated that he should be the decisive piece in the puzzle, with a stunning goal just seven minutes from time. A third successive victory for a Sevilla side that - undoubtedly this time - were better than their opponents from beginning to end and have secured second place in the table yet again.

The team took their impetus from the stands initially and spurred an intense start to the match. The starting eleven started with focus and drive, in attack, but above all at the back - keeping tabs on the Canary side's attacking midfielders and an overly isolated Calleri. A good header from Correa and a Mercado shot with just too much bend - right from kick-off - made Sevilla think it would be a demolition, but as the minutes passed, chances passed the Sevillistas by - despite maintaining dominance.

An intense start to the match, with chances from Correa and Mercado gave way to a period with fewer opportunities

Pressing high, Berizzo's side never left men unmarked, with Mercado and Escudero deep and the two centre-backs efficient in their work - always alert to breaks. However, before the end of the first half, the only chance that came close to clear-cut was for the side in yellow, who headed marginally over from a corner. For the first time everything was left to do after the break and Sevilla's dominance could not be successfully reflected on the scoresheet.

After the rest, a superior Sevilla took control once again but could still not reflect their dominance in the form of goals. Against a side that preferred to sit back and win the ball back to start attacks - though never with the sufficient speed to do damage - the Sevillistas responded with torrents of attacks. Undoubtedly the clearest chance was ten minutes after the restart, when Ben Yedder was presented with a one on one that was saved impressively by Chichizola. Navas, very active in his work, had won the ball back on the edge of the area to give the Frenchman his golden chance.

Las Palmas looked for counters, but never found the speed to trouble the best La Liga defense so far

Though the stands always support their own, what's certain is that the substitution of Vitolo allowed everyone to focus solely on the most important thing, and the team noticed it. Berizzo opted to throw everything at Chichizola's goal, bringing on Franco Vázquez for Ganso to ensure directness and fresh legs in the centre of the park. Several cutting balls to Ben Yedder ended up with the Frenchman being adjudged offside when one on one, but the goal was to come from a far more unexpected play. A fierce centre from Navas found a wicked dip that Chichizola could only watch. More than just a symbolic goal for Navas seven minutes from time.

Time was still left on the clock but the visitors didn't have time to change the rhythm of a match in which they always preferred stop-start play. Sevilla did not lose their nerve and were able to manage the clock through possession - ensuring the victory wouldn't slip from their grasp in the last moments. In the end, though even the goalscorer left it late, a celebration for Navas and for Sevillistas, who can now boast a side with fewer goals conceded than any other side in La Liga and second-place spot in the table. This Saturday at 13:00pm, a huge test in the Wanda Metropolitano against an Atlético Madrid side which comes off the back of victory in San Mamés.

MATCH SUMMARY

1. SEVILLA FC: Sergio Rico, Mercado, Nico Pareja, Kjaer, Escudero, N’Zonzi, Krohn-Dehli (Banega, minute 76), Ganso (‘Mudo’ Vázquez, minute 61), ‘Tucu’ Correa (Sarabia, minute 69) and Ben Yedder.

0. UD LAS PALMAS: Chichizola, Míchel Macedo, Aythami, David García, Ximo Navarro, Hernán Santana (Toledo, minute 85), Aquilani (Vicente Gómez, minute 66), Jonathan Viera, Tana, Vitolo (Momo, minute 58) and Caleri.

GOLES: 1-0, minute 83: Jesús Navas.

REFEREE: González González. Yellows for David García, Mercado, Momo and Jesús Navas.