Match reports

1-0: ANDRÉ SILVA TAKES SEVILLA BACK TO THE TOP OF THE LEAGUE

25/11/2018

The opportunity was there and Sevilla FC did not let the chance to go top of the league go to waste. A goal from André Silva opened the scoring and the team had many other opportunities to seal the victory, but the game stayed at 1-0 with Valladolid threatening until the end and forcing Vaclík into making some crucial saves.

League leaders after 13 matches played. Sevilla FC did not let this great opportunity slip away and took themselves to the top of the La Liga table after another hard-fought win. It is clear that to stay at the top this season, the team are going to have to fight their way through many matches and Real Valladolid were no exception. Although Sevilla dominated the game and the score should have been comfortable much earlier, Sevilla lacked the finishing touches at times, meaning André Silva's headed goal was the moment that decided the game. Valladolid had two goals rightfully disallowed and forced Vaclík into crucial saves, but any kind of struggle is worth it for a reward like this one.

It was an uncomfortable start to the game, with many misplaced passes and with Real Valladolid ready to have less of the possession and put pressure on Sevilla. In fact, Sevilla struggled to get into Valladolid's final third in those opening minutes, where Ben Yedder was barely able t get on the ball. Machín's men had their first half-chance in the 12th minute, as Sarabia's cross from the left was met by the head of Kjaer, but the effort was too weak to trouble Masip in the Valladolid goal. That perhaps was the turning point, from which Sevilla started to play more vertically and with more incisiveness, with many attacks going through Aleix Vidal on the right wing, who was looking sharp and posed a threat to the visitors' backline in search for the first goal.

After a cagey start, Sevilla soon took control of the game.

Nearly half-an-hour into the game, Sarabia tried his luck after a loose ball on the edge of the box, but the midfielder was unable to find the target while multiple teammates were in good positions waiting for a pass. Fortunately, he did not take long to redeem himself, and in the 30th minute, he provided a cross from the right for André Silva to head home, giving Masip no chance. The ball hit the post before going in to make it 1-0. Just before, Valladolid had their first chance but Óscar Plano's shot did not trouble Vaclík. The game was more open from that point until the break, as Sevilla looked for the second goal to make the second-half more comfortable. André Silva had an effort from range, but Masip got down well to save and hold onto the ball.

The desire to kill off the game was even clearer at the start of the second half in which Sevilla got into Valladolid's box with relative ease, but they just lacked the finishing touch. After ten minutes, Aleix Vidal had a good chance but Masip was there to stop it. One minute later, Banega made a poor choice and shot straight at the 'keeper. Sevilla were letting up and this can cause problems at the highest level. And, on the hour mark, Valladolid had the ball in the back of the net, however, Unal's acrobatic effort was ruled out for offside. Ben Yedder had a chance immediately after, but Aleix's cross couldn't reach the striker.

The referee correctly ruled out two of Unal's goals, both decisions backed up by VAR

Sarabia forced Masip into a great stop halfway through the second-half, denying the Spaniard a spectacular goal from the edge of the box. It was time to shake up the bench and Machín freshened up the midfield with Franco Vázquez coming on for Banega who was carrying a knock. Even still, the game remained very equal and both teams had chances. Unal had the ball in the back of the net again, but yet again it was ruled out for a clear offside. This was another warning in a game which was becoming more difficult. As a result, Sevilla's manager preferred not to take any risks and decided to bring Amadou on for André Silva. As could be expected, Valladolid continued pushing in the last minutes to get the draw. And they almost managed it with a superb volley from Unal, however Vaclik was on hand to acrobatically divert it over the bar. Promes came on for the last four minutes and helped in running the clock down to give Sevilla the first place in the league.

We return from the international break with a massive smile, the team top of the league only six matches away from the end of the first half of the season. However, on Thursday we must return to Europa League action against Standard Liege to secure our passage to the Round of 32. There is still some time to go before this so let's have a look at the table and enjoy a good job well done.