Match reports

3-0: A FIRST HALF GOAL-FEST SEES AN ASSURED WIN

28/01/2023

Goals from En-Nesyri, twice, and Acuña, in the first half, killed off an Elche CF team that played with ten men from the 41st minute.

The Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán was joyous on a chilly Saturday afternoon as the home side defeated Elche CF to record their third consecutive home win of the new year. Jorge Sampaoli's side went after it from the start, in search of the three points, and by the final whistle, the win was secured.

A brace from En-Nesyri and another goal from Acuña, against a visiting side who were already 1-0 down, sealed the win for Sevilla, which takes them up to 21 points in the table and distances them from the danger zone at the end of the first half of the season. Now, with a week free of fixtures, Sevilla FC will prepare for the visit to Camp Nou next Sunday.

The best football of the first half of the season is what Sevilla FC managed to produce at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán against Elche CF, although Elche had the clearest chance of the game before the 10th minute. Apart from Bono's save from a Boyé shot after a throw-in, the home side were firmly on top, attacking Pablo Machín's side from both flanks, who could only watch as the time came for the Nervión side to take the lead.

And so it happened. Youssef En-Nesyri, with a magnificent leap from Acuña's cross, headed home his first LaLiga goal of the season to the delight of the Sevilla fans. With the scoreboard now open, Sevilla FC continued to look for Badía's goal, with a great shot from Fernando forcing the visiting keeper to intervene.

Suso and En-Nesyri shone in the first half, with the former providing assists and the latter scoring in the second half.

The game became even more difficult with the sending off of Bigas, who was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Suso as he was heading towards goal. With an extra man on the pitch and the superiority they were already enjoying in the game, Jorge Sampaoli's men went out to win the game in emphatic fashion. Suso, who put on a spectacular display, slipped a ball through to Ó. Torres who ended up free for Acuña, who scored to make the tie 2-0.

That was not to be the end of a superb first half, as En-Nesyri scored a brace in the final minute, slotting home another superb assist from Suso, who shone on the right-hand side. The only negative note was for Jesús Navas, who had to leave the pitch with a muscle issue.

The second half got off to a much calmer start than what had come before, with both teams aware that it was a foregone conclusion. Sevilla FC continued, however, to pour forward on the visiting side, who only crossed a couple of times into the area but without creating any danger whatsoever for Bono. Sampaoli, knowing the game had been decided, introduced the first changes to freshen up his players, replacing Rekik and Rakitic. Machín also called time on the game and did the same with his key players.

En-Nesyri, who scored a brace, was given a standing ovation when he was substituted. Papu Gómez could have scored Sevilla FC's fourth.

The last substitutions for Sevilla were Rafa Mir and Papu Gómez, who returned after several games out. En-Nesyri, scorer of two goals, left the pitch to a standing ovation along with Fernando. Montiel, with a header from Suso's cross, could have put the fourth on the board at the Sánchez-Pizjuán, but it went wide to Badía's right.

An Elche side were now focused on not conceding any more goals. Rafa Mir, ten minutes from time, headed over from Acuña's cross. Papu Gómez was also on target to score the fourth, but a great save by Badía kept out the Argentinian's goal. Soto Grado called time on the game just after Jordán's shot went just wide of the visiting goalkeeper's left-hand post.

MATCH REPORT

3. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Jesús Navas (Montiel, 38th minute), Badé, Rekik (Gudelj, 61st minute), Acuña, Fernando (Papu Gómez, 71st minute), Rakitic (Jordán, 61st minute), Ó. Torres, Suso, Ocampos and En-Nesyri (Rafa Mir, 71st minute)

0. ELCHE CF: Badía, Diego González, Roco, Bigas, Mascarell (Raúl Guti, 84th minute), Gumbau, Palacios (Magallán, 62nd minute), Blanco, Milla (Nico, 73rd minute), Chaves (Ponce, 62nd minute) and Boyé (Josan, 62nd minute).

GOALS: 1-0 En-Nesyri, 29'. 2-0, Acuña, 43'. 3-0 En-Nesyri, 45'.

REFEREE: Soto Grado. Yellows for Fidel, Mascarell, Ocampos and Gumbau and a straight red for Bigas.