Match reports

3-1: A DEADLY FINAL 15 MINUTES HANDS SEVILLA DEFEAT BEFORE THE WINTER BREAK

20/12/2017
A sad end to Sevilla FC's year in the Anoeta, where the visitors fell to a loss despite Ben Yedder's goal giving Sevilla hope before half-time. Though there was improvement in the second-half, Berizzo's side ended up conceding two goals in the decisive final minutes

An unfortunate goodbye to 2017 in the Anoeta for Sevilla FC, who fell to defeat this Wednesday against a Real Sociedad who controlled the first-half but went in level thanks to a Ben Yedder goal that cancelled out Martinez' opener. With all to play for in the second-half, Sevilla came out with more life but two goals in the final stretch (one from Zubaldia and one from Carlos Vela) mean the Nervionenses finish off their year with a loss - now looking ahead to the Copa del Rey and the Seville Derby. 

Despite a bright enough start from the visitors, it was not long before Sociedad found their groove at home and started to dominate a first-half which saw Sevilla without many chances at goal. An early shot over from Januzaj was a warning sign from Sociedad, who kept Sevilla pressed deep in their own half. A powerful header from an unmarked Iñigo Martínez gave the hosts their lead after a well-shaped cross. Though he scrambled to his near post, David Soria was unable to keep the effort out. 

Real Sociedad dominated large parts of the first-half

Sevilla needed to respond but saw too large a gap develop between midfield and attack. With the visitors struggling to gel, Real Sociedad looked dangerous coming forward, though unable to widen the deficit before the break. Sevilla would take advantage, equalising through Ben Yedder on the stroke of half-time. Some fine play from Geis and Krohn-Dehli would allow the Frenchman to dribble with class, then leave Rulli with next to no chance of saving his powerful effort. Half-time came soon after.

Come the restart, Sevilla came out brighter. With chances in the first few minutes of the second-half, Berizzo's men looked to have turned the tides somewhat and were on the front foot of what seemed a far more even game. Sociedad entered into their least convincing period of the match. Nevertheless, with quarter of an hour left to play, the Basque side would find the goal needed to deflate the Nervionenses. A deflected shot from Zubeldia found the back of Sevilla's net in what was practically Sociedad's first chance of the second-half. With just a minute left on the clock, a fast Sociedad counter - with Sevilla pushing for a second - sealed a win for the home side; Vela making it 3-1 and saying goodbye to the Anoeta in perfect style. 

Despite a better second-half, the final minutes were deadly for Sevilla

Berizzo threw all caution to the wind by bringing on Muriel and Nolito for Corchia and Krohn-Dehli but it wasn't to be Sevilla's night. The players head to the winter break with big games on the horizon - first a Copa del Rey clash with Cádiz, then the Seville Derby on Three Kings' Day.