Ben Yedder del Sevilla FC ante el RC Deportivo
Match reports

2-0: GEMS FROM BEN YEDDER AND KROHN-DEHLI SINK DEPORTIVO

02/12/2017
A third consecutive La Liga win for Sevilla FC puts pressure on Atlético and Real Madrid for fourth place. On a cold night in Nervión, goals from Ben Yedder and Krohn-Dehli were enough to keep the Sánchez-Pizjuán's fortress status intact

There are epics and then there are comfortable wins. Fortunately - at least for the hearts of Sevillistas - on this occasion, there was no dramatic comeback needed to secure three valuable points at home against Deportivo de La Coruña. After a tight first-half, a 45th minute goal from Ben Yedder put Sevilla ahead at the break. In a more comfortable second, a goal from Krohn-Dehli from distance made the result safe and gave Sevilla FC a third consecutive La Liga win. 

Sevillistas didn't have to wait long to see their team gel in the Sánchez-Pizjuán. In practically the first play of the game, Escudero made a fantastic run and linked up well with Nolito; not two minutes later, Franco Vázquez also linked up with the Spanish forward saw his effort climb just over the bar. Despite the strong start, Deportivo showed signs of life and looked for counters against a Sevilla back-line which once again saw Geis play at centre-back. Parralo's side had no hesitation in transitions, though the Sevilla defence looked strong in the face of pressure. López had one chance quarter-of-an-hour in, though David Soria looked comfortable between the sticks. 

The first goal arrived on the stroke of half-time, with an assured finish from Ben Yedder

The action looked well balanced before half-time, with the home side looking the more likely of the two sides. An impressive Rubén between the sticks kept the scores level - saving well against efforts from Escudero and Nolito. With it looking like the scores would go in level at the break, Sevilla grabbed an opener to turn Parralo's team-talk on its head. A fine throw from Escudero found Nolito, who passed well to Ben Yedder inside the penalty box. The striker was calm and put it past Rubén with his left to score his 13th  goal in 17 games. Play did not even resume before the half-time whistle was blown. 

The goal wouldn't change the game dramatically in the second-half, with Sevilla still comfortable with the ball and Deportivo still looking to counter. The visitors had a good chance to level the scores five minutes from the restart - with a Lucas effort well saved at the near post from Soria. Thankfully Adrián couldn't find the net with the rebound, with Escudero clearing off the line. It didn't take long for Sevilla to reply; Franco Vázquez was denied a spectacular goal after attempting to lob Rubén with a volley - his effort, unfortunately, didn't quite have the height to secure a memorable Sánchez-Pizjuán goal. Marcucci took the opportunity to make a crucial change, bringing Vázquez off for Krohn-Dehli twenty minutes from time.  

Krohn-Dehli came on in the second-half and made the game safe with a goal from distance

The substitution would pay off. With just twelve minutes to go, the Dane would try his luck from range, having had the ball laid off by Nolito. Rubén got a hand to it but the strike had enough power to find the back of the net. Breathing space for Sevilla FC, who from that point controlled the game well and saw out the result. Navas and Correa came on to give the side fresh legs in the dying minutes. 

Los Nervionenses are not letting up in the fight for fourth place. Now the side will need to change modes and think ahead to securing a place in the Champions League knock-out stages. The team travels to Slovenia to face NK Maribor on Tuesday in a crucial fixture. With the Champions League dream hopefully still alive, Sevilla will then travel to Madrid to face Real Madrid on Saturday in what could also be a crucial fixture in the fight for fourth place.