Match reports

2-1: SEVILLA DESERVEDLY TAKE ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

27/04/2017

Sevilla FC, driven on by an inspired Joaquín Correa, record a good performance and a key win in the race for third

Sevilla took all three points thanks to substitute Ben Yedder’s 78th minute winner which saw Jorge Sampaoli’s side move level on points with third placed Atlético Madrid.

The Andalusians fielded an unchanged starting line up, with Ganso retaining his starting place after a sensational performance in Friday’s win against Granada.

Celta Vigo came out stronger than Sampaoli’s side, but Sevilla eventually settled into the game and their first opening fell to Ganso, whose shot from outside the box was well struck but kept rising.

Ten minutes later Iborra’s header back across goal agonisingly struck the base of Sergio Álvarez’s post.

Correa was perhaps the liveliest of the Sevilla forwards, and as half-time approached the Argentine had two good chances, one a shot from inside the box which was well saved, the other a miscued effort after he had been set up by Mariano.

Just three minutes after the restart, it was Correa who put Sevilla into the lead, cutting inside on to his left foot before finishing emphatically to the ‘keeper’s left.

Jorge Sampaoli’s side led for under five minutes, however. Iago Aspas converted from the spot to draw his side level on 52 minutes.

Just three minutes later Pablo Hernández was shown a second yellow card leaving Celta with ten men. Nasri completed his return from injury just after the hour mark, replacing Sarabia, and both the Frenchman and Escudero hit the bar within a space of five minutes.

The Galicians were under pressure, and with just over ten minutes remaining, the pressure told. Nasri combined with another substitute, Ben Yedder, who scored the winner with a smart finish at the near post.

Jorge Sampaoli’s side held on, despite a tense end to the game, and kept their hopes of a third place finish very much alive.

MATCH FACTS

2. SEVILLA FC: Sergio Rico, Mariano, Pareja, Lenglet, Escudero, Iborra, N’Zonzi, Sarabia (Nasri, 63'), Ganso (Kranevitter, 86'), Correa, Jovetic (Ben Yedder, 75').

1. REAL CLUB CELTA DE VIGO: Sergio Álvarez, Hugo Mallo, Cabral, Fontás, Jonny, Radoja, Daniel Wass (Bongonda, 81'), Pablo Hernández, Sisto (Beauvue, 85'), Guidetti (Roncaglia, 64'), Iago Aspas.

GOALS: 1-0, 48': Correa. 1-1, 52': Iago Aspas (pen.), 2-1, 78': Ben Yedder.

REFEREE: Gil Manzano, Extremadura. Pablo Hernández sent off for a second bookable offence. Yellow cards: Pablo Sarabia, Hugo Mallo and Cabral.