Just six days after a tough home blow against Atlético Madrid, Sevilla confirmed their recovery with another La Liga win - this time against Athletic Bilbao; Sevilla have now picked up 12 points in a possible 15 over the last five matches. Vincenzo Montella set up with a tried and tested starting eleven and was not let down against a side who seemed preoccupied with a European date with Marseille this coming Thursday. Two goals in five minutes - one from Muriel and another from Vázquez gave the Nervionenses a comfortable lead to work with, and despite a triple Bilsubstitutiontion at half-time, it was Sevilla who had the clearer chances throughout the game and looked the more likely side to find a third goal. With Valencia and Manchester United the next two opponents on the horizon, a week of recovery will be crucial in determining the course of the rest of the season.
The chilling rain may have seen many sides shy away from a tough fixture in Athletic Bilbao but from the early minutes it seemed clear that Sevilla were ready to inject energy into the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. Though an early chance through Iñaki Williams could have seen the visitors in-front quickly, Sevilla responded with a hat-trick of chances that troubled Kepa in the Basques' goal. Joaquín Correa would twice be there to cause havoc in the Bilbao area, Ever Banega would fire over from 20 yards and Pablo Sarabia would draw a fine save at Kepa's near post but Sevilla would have to be patient before finding the breakthrough. Fifteen minutes in, the Nervionenses had already fired their warning shots.
Sevilla fired warning shots early but would have to be patient before the deadlock was eventually broken
Sarabia, Muriel, Correa and Vázquez looked constant threats to the Basque back-line and it seemed only a matter of time before Sevilla would find their way through. Adding to the impressive start Muriel would go closer than anyone just before 25 minutes had passed. A beautiful Franco Vázquez cross was met by the head of the Colombian but the effort would cannon back off Kepa's crossbar and bounce clear of danger. Not two minutes later, the striker would make amends for the lost chance. A cutting ball from Vázquez would leave Muriel with a tight angle to overcome, but with a fierce right-footed effort the striker would finally find a way past Kepa. Sevilla had their breakthrough and would not have to wait long to widen the deficit; after a pinpoint cross from N'Zonzi, Vázquez would be involved once again - this time scoring with a perfect header that left the Basque goalkeeper with no chance at all.