Match reports

0-1: A PENALTY FROM WISSAM BEN YEDDER BRINGS BACK JOY AWAY FROM HOME

17/03/2019

André Silva won a penalty which Ben Yedder put away. Sevilla put in a professional performance in Barcelona, managing to pick up their first away win in La Liga in some time

That 29 September in Ipurúa seemed so far away. How long it had been since Sevilla FC's last away win in La Liga. But that bad run has come to an end. Sevilla managed to put an end to the enormous drought away from the Sánchez-Pizjuán in Barcelona. In a very professional game, from the defenders right to the strikers, reinforced by a strong midfield of Gonalons and Amadou, a Wissam Ben Yedder penalty means Sevilla's last away win in La Liga now dates 17 March.

Sevilla FC tried to push Espanyol back into their box in the first half, having three shots in the first five minutes. They dominated the midfield with the strength of Gonalons and Amadou and the precision of Banega, who both brought the ball out from the back and advanced with it into the opponent's half. Despite this, Sevilla did not create many clear chances, other than a couple of shots from Banega and Ben Yedder which went just past Diego López' right-hand post.

Espanyol began the second half on the front foot but Ben Yedder changed the outlook of the game by converting the penalty won by André Silva

Sevilla controlled Espanyol's intentions well - they looked to play into Borja Iglesias and win second balls and find Wu Lei's runs. Juan Soriano, coming in after Vaclík picked up an injury in the warm up, had to deny Wu Lei after a good pass from Hernán Pérez left him one-on-one. Promes, predominantly in the first twenty minutes, and Navas after that, looked to create danger down the wings, however they could not find that cross into the strikers.

Espanyol came out for the second half intending to turn the game around, at least in terms of possession, and Sevilla dropped back into their half. Rubi's men pushed further up the pitch and they had Sevilla pinned back during the first minutes of the second half. However, with Sevilla's first counter attack they found the goal. André Silva brought down a ball from the defenders and he was fouled in a one-on-one against Hermoso in the area. Wissam Ben Yedder made no mistake in putting the penalty past Diego López and sending Sevilla into the lead.

Sevilla had to hold on after getting into the lead, although Espanyol did not create many clear chances

The home side, with the scoreboard against them, had to change their approach. Now they really did push Sevilla back into Juan Soriano's box. Joaquín Caparrós' changes, reinforcing the midfield, gave life to a team that managed to hold out until the end and finally win the elusive three points away from home. Gonalons, a stalwart in the midfield, with Banega and Amadou subbed off, managed to keep Espanyol's attacks at bay.

Sevilla FC take a vital win back from Barcelona and now have the international break to rest and prepare for Valencia's visit Sánchez-Pizjuán. Before that, on Friday, we have the Antonio Puerta Trophy against Schalke 04.

GAME SUMMARY

0. RCD ESPANYOL: Diego López, Rosales, Naldo (Javi Puado, 84'), Hermoso, Dídac Vila, Darder, Granero (Melendo, 59'), Marc Roca, Hernán Pérez (Ferreyra, 69'), Wu Lei and Borja Iglesias.

1. SEVILLA FC: Juan Soriano, Mercado, Carriço, Wöber, Jesús Navas, Promes, Amadou (Rog, 73'), Gonalons, Banega (Franco Vázquez, 79'), André Silva (Munir, 62') and Ben Yedder.

GOALS: 0-1 Ben Yedder, 52' (penalty).

REFEREE: Cuadra Fernández. Yellows for Amadou, Darder, Carriço and Juan Soriano (sent off for a double yellow)