Match reports

3-0: 90 MINUTES OF SUPERIORITY SHINES IN SECOND HALF

09/09/2017

A convincing win for Sevilla following their return after the international break, one in which the team showed its superiority from the start, though it may not have been until the second half that it showed on the scoresheet. Ganso, Ben Yedder and Nolito sealed the three points that shot Sevilla up the table

A first home victory of the season for Sevilla FC, who were superior to Eibar and were clinical enough to show it in the scoreline. Though Eibar showed on more than one occasion they were a well-drilled side, the goals of Ganso and Ben Yedder in the second half secured a result that allowed the Nervionenses to climb up to seven points in the League, and secure itself in the European qualification spots.

Berizzo made up for injuries with a centre-back partnership of Carriço and Lenglet, and placing Nzonzi, Ganso and Sarabia in the centre of midfield. Up front, the two former City wingers supported Ben Yedder. As was expected, Eibar made it difficult for Sevilla to find space; however, the home side nearly made their pressure pay off after quarter of an hour, after a superb fall from Ganso allowed Ben Yedder to strike against the left post of Dimitrovic.

Ben Yedder was the first to go close with a spectacular shot after quarter of an hour

Berizzo's men attacked predominantly down the left wing through Escudero and Sarabia, but struggled to gain an advantage in the Basques' area. In fact it was Ben Yedder - through a Nolito pass - who went close again, eventually firing over. Though Eibar far from gave in, they missed the same strength Sevilla had pressured with. The first half came to an end with another clear chance, this time through Nolito. The forward penetrated the defense from the left but shot wide of the far post.

No sooner had the second half started than an opportunity presented itself to change the course of the game. No more than a minute had passed when Ganso, finally, put the ball in the back of Eibar's net. It was with the invaluable help, once again, of Nolito who put it on a plate for him on the edge of the area. After deflecting off Capa, the ball fell at the feet of the Brazilian, who shot low to beat Dimitrovic. Sevilla were dominating but the lead was too fragile to rely on. Eibar looked to take advantage of spaces in Sevilla's half, but Berizzo's side were able to deal with threats relatively easily.

When Sarabia burst on to the scene, despite showing signs of fatigue, Sevilla were able to strike a decisive blow. With only a quarter of an hour to go, found free on the left by Ganso, the Madrid-born midfielder sent a fierce cross to the back post. There, unmarked, Ben Yedder waited to make it 2-0. Just after the goal Corchia replaced a tired Mercado, while Correa replaced Navas, who left the field to an ovation. There was also a debut for Johannes Geis. In the final minutes, already in injury time, Sevilla were able to finish the game off, making it 3-0 following a beautiful team move, which saw a flick from Sarabia, a precise cross from Corchia and an assured finish from Nolito.

Sarabia's beautiful flick started the move which allowed Nolito to make it 3-0

Sevilla FC put themselves in top part of the table, taking advantage of the draws of Real Madrid, Valencia and Atlético Madrid, who proved that the start of the league has been easy for nobody. The next league fixture, in Montilivi, will put Berizzo's squad up against one of the newly-promoted sides next Sunday at 16:15pm. A match in which Banega will return to selection, having served his two game suspension.

MATCH SUMMARY

3. SEVILLA FC: Sergio Rico, Mercado (Corchia, minute 72), Dani Carriço, Lenglet, Escudero, N’Zonzi, Ganso (Geis, minute 86), Sarabia, Jesús Navas (‘Tucu’ Correa, minute 79), Nolito and Ben Yedder.

0. SD EIBAR: Dmitrovic, Capa, Ramis, Oliveira, José Ángel (Bebé, minute 78), Iván Alejo (Peña, minute 39), Dani García, Escalante, Inui (Rivera, minute 61), Kike García and Sergi Enrich.

GOALS: 1-0, minute 47: Ganso. 2-0, minute 76: Ben Yedder. 3-0, minute 91: Nolito.

OFFICIALS: Mateu Lahoz, Valencian. Yellows for Escudero and José Ángel.