Match reports

1-2: DESERVED SEVILLA FC VICTORY ON THE CANARY ISLANDS

17/02/2018

Three valuable points ahead of Wednesday's Champions League blockbuster with Manchester United. Ben Yedder's opener and Sarabia's second goal in two would give Sevilla a deserved cushion, and despite a Calleri penalty ten minutes from time, Sevilla would close the game out professionally and put themselves three points away from the Champions League spots

Three golden points for Sevilla FC, who after over two months have finally put together consecutive La Liga wins. The Nervionenses showed themselves to be superior to their opponents throughout the game, though an 82nd minute penalty from Calleri would eventually make things more difficult. Ben Yedder would find the Sevilla opener on his return to the starting line-up and Pablo Sarabia would find that valuable second goal five minutes after half-time to give Sevilla needed breathing room and to continue his incredible form. United are now on the horizon, with just four days to go until one of the biggest games of Sevilla's season.

From the very first minute you could see it was going to be a game of open spaces for Sevilla. Not two minutes into the game, Ben Yedder had a golden chance to make it 0-1 to the visitors - only to be denied by a heroic block on the line. Montella was clear in the game plan he wanted to deploy, ordering his players to wait for Jémez men to make mistakes then surge forward on the counter. And the gameplan would create chances. Sarabia would be the next Sevillista to go close, latching on to Correa's ball but seeing his shot smothered by Chichizola. Sevilla had shown an early flurry but it would now be time for Las Palmas to slowly grow into the game.

Calleri was the first yellow to fire a warning shot. After a free-kick was conceded deep in Sevilla's half, the Argentine headed convincingly towards goal. Following his stunning performance against Girona, it was no surprise to see Sergio Rico there to make a spectacular save - pushing the ball on to the post; little did anybody know that the striker had already been flagged for offside. With ten minutes left to play in the first-half, the game had become more equal, though Sevilla would be the team to finally break through and get a foothold in the game. After leaving the Las Palmas defence for dead on the right, Pablo Sarabia would send a fierce effort across goal. Palmed away by Chichizola, the ball would fall to Wissam Ben Yedder, who on his return to the side would convert with a true poacher's effort to put Sevilla one up.

Ben Yedder would put Sevilla 0-1 up with a true poacher's effort

Ben Yedder would come closest again before the half-time whistle was blown, before which Joaquín Correa was worryingly substituted for Sandro Ramírez with a muscular strain. Come the start of the second-half, there was only one clear aim - find that second goal and kill off the game. And within just five minutes of play, Sevilla had that second.

Sandro played a deft inside ball to Ben Yedder, who in turn would find 'el Mudo' Vázquez in a dangerous area. His ball across the box would pop up for Sarabia and the Madrid-born winger would make it two goals in two, finding the back of the net with a calm, side-footed effort. A huge goal for Sevilla, giving the Nervionenses breathing room and with 35 minutes left to play. With Sevilla's backline looking solid, N'Zonzi would have a huge chance to make it three. After an incisive Sevilla breakaway the big man would be left one-on-one to kill the game once and for all. Despite a controlled right-footed effort, Chichizola would be there to tip the ball inches wide. Montella looked to the bench, bringing on Roque Mesa for Franco Vázquez, seeing the new Sevilla addition face his former employers.

Sevilla found breathing room with a second just five minutes after the restart

Despite Sevilla's defensive solidity, Las Palmas would be awarded a golden chance to put themselves back into the game after being awarded a penalty eight minutes from time. After a very inconspicuous Miguel Layún challenge was adjudged a foul, Calleri would step up to face a Sergio Rico who just six days ago denied Girona FC from the spot. Unfortunately the result would not be the same this time and Las Palmas were one back from an equaliser with just ten minutes to go.

Though Calleri would once again have a chance to head Las Palmas back level, Sevilla would close the game out professionally and secure three vital points that put us - at least for now - within three of the Champions League spots. It's precisely that competition that attention now turns to, with Sevilla's next match the blockbuster of the season: versus Manchester United in the first-leg of the Champions League last-16. Nervión will be ready, and after an encouraging performance and win today, you can guarantee Sevilla FC will be too.