Atletico Madrid travelled to Sevilla on Sunday looking to close the gap on second-placed Real Madrid to three points, while the home side had a European place on their minds.
Neither side could open the scoring in a disappointing first period, with the referee called into action to deal with a number of dangerous challenges.
The second half followed a similar pattern, but a late Radamel Falcao strike secured all the points for Atletico.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga live commentary of the evening comes from the Estadio Ramon as Sevilla welcome Atletico Madrid. The home side are unlikely to finish in the top four this season, but will be keen to secure a place in Europe. Atletico, meanwhile, will hope to continue the chase for second with all three points this evening.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Atletico have enjoyed the best of it with two wins from the last five matches, with the other three ending in a draw. The pair have also met in the Copa del Rey this season, with Atletico advancing courtesy of a 4-3 aggregate score. Diego Simeone’s side will contest the final of that competition with Real Madrid next month.
Sevilla enter this match boasting an impressive home record having won 11 of their 15 league matches in this stadium this season. Only three teams, the current top three, have a better record. However, Atletico have been fairly solid on their travels with six wins from 15 matches, but five of their six defeats this season have come on the road.
TEAMS:
SEVILLA: Beto; Navarro, Cala, Coke, Botia; Moreno, Rakitic, Kondogbia; Reyes, Negredo, Navas
ATLETICO: Courtois; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Luis; Gabi, Suarez, Koke; Rodriguez, Falcao, Costa
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Sevilla team this evening, with Jose Antonio Reyes and Jesus Navas once more providing support to Alvaro Negredo. Atletico, meanwhile, hand a rare start to Christian Rodriguez alongside Diego Castro and Radamel Falcao. Right, the away side get the action underway at the Mestalla.
Simply stunning atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. Sevilla can move into a European position with all three points this evening, while Atletico will hope to close the gap to three points on second-placed Real Madrid. Let's hope for an enthralling evening of football in Sevilla. It has all the makings of a classic.
High-tempo start from both sides as Sevilla attempt to force the issue down the left, before Moreno comes back to fell Falcao moments later. You suspect that the referee could have a difficult job on his hands this evening. The resulting free kick is whipped in towards Godin, but Negredo is back to perform his defensive duties.
Costa throws his sizeable frame into the back of Botia, but the referee is happy to let the play continue. Sevilla have possession moments later with Coke, but the Spaniard cannot evade capture of Miranda. You just get the feeling that the first goal could be decisive in this type of match.
It's good work from Reyes as the Spaniard chases down a clearance from Courtois, forcing the Belgian to hand possession straight back to the home side. Another free kick follows down the other end moments later, with Gabi delivering into the box, but once more Negredo is back performing his defence work before Suarez fires over from inside the box.
Falcao continues his bright start as he collects possession in the box before finding Costa, but Botia is across to make a fine challenge. The end-to-end period of the match continues as Luis delivers a cross towards Rodriguez, but Beto comes out to collect. Hardly time to take a breath in the opening 10 minutes.
Sevilla continue to cause problems in a wide area with Navas and Reyes both delivering crosses into the box, but Negredo has been well marshalled thus far. There is no doubt that the home side have been impressive in the second part of the campaign, but you just get the feeling that they need another striker to complement Negredo if they are to push on next season.
It's really smart work from Falcao as the Colombian collects a pass from Suarez before finding Luis down the left, but Botia is across to make a fine challenge. The pressure continues as Atletico probe outside the box, but eventually the danger is cleared. No real chances for either side thus far, but it has been a bright start.
Falcao has his name taken for an elbow on Cala, which brought a serious reaction from both sets of players. You just get the feeling that this match could boil over at any moment. Those two players have been at each other since the word go. The referee is once more called into action moments later to award Sevilla a free kick down the right, but Courtois claims the cross from Reyes.
Not too much to report in terms of attacking intent in the last few moments with the referee forced to deal with a host of challenges from both sides. A half-chance does arrive for Negredo as Reyes finds the striker in the box, but Miranda is across to quell the danger at the vital moment.
Sevilla have just started to take control of the midfield battle in the last couple of minutes with Kondogbia and Rakitic both exerting their influence. The width of the home side remains a problem for Atletico as the ball is continually delivered into the box, but Miranda and Godin have been aerially strong in the opening 21 minutes.
CHANCE! It's wonderful work from Negredo as the Spanish striker fends off the challenge of two defenders before thumping a volley towards goal, but it just moved high and wide of the crossbar. Not too much from Atletico in the last five minutes or so, meanwhile, with Falcao and Costa struggling for service.
The battle between Cala and Falcao continues as the striker is penalised for a late challenge on the Sevilla centre-back. However, Falcao does a win a free kick later following a heavy challenge from Coke. It is so important that the forward keeps his discipline in this match. No real chances for either side in the last couple of minutes.
Godin is the latest Atletico player to receive a booking for a poor challenge on Reyes. The resulting free kick is whipped into the box by the Spanish winger, but it is catching practice for Courtois. The Belgian attempts to find Falcao on the counter, but Coke is across to clear the danger.
The ill-feeling between the two sets of players continues as Costa is thrown to the floor by Cala inside the penalty area. Unfortunately, the tempo has suffered in the last 10 minutes or so with the stop-start nature of the match. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining in Sevilla.
Half-chance for Reyes as the Sevilla winger collects possession on the edge of the box before curling an effort towards the top corner, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Neither goalkeeper has been too concerned thus far despite a couple of sighters for both teams. Let's hope that we can have a period of football without a poor challenge!
It's good work from Reyes once more as the Spaniard cuts inside before whipping a cross into the box, but Navas just could not make proper contact with his head. Not too much for the away supporters to get excited about, meanwhile, with the ball spending more time in the air than on the deck. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Atletico simply cannot keep possession of the ball at the moment as another attack breaks down with Koke. Kondogbia is involved down the other end moments later, but the Frenchman looks to find Negredo when he might have had an effort on goal. Plenty of incisive passing on display, but chances have been at a premium.
Half-chance for the away side as Falcao rounds Botia in the box before clipping an cross towards Costa, but it just would not fall for the Brazilian. Costa keeps the ball alive with a cross towards Rodriguez, but Beto is out to claim. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining.
The challenges continue to interrupt the flow of the match as Botia dives into a poor tackle with Falcao, bringing a furious reaction from the Atletico bench. Simeone wants a red card produced, but the referee brings yellow from his pocket. Fairly low-key end to the half with Sevilla keeping possession in their own half.
Both managers are very animated on the sidelines as they continue to wave their arms around, but I could not speculate as to what is being said. I was full of optimism in the build-up to this match, but unfortunately the football has not produced, yet anyway. Little over two minutes of the first period remaining.
Incredible battle between Rodriguez and Rakitic which leads to the latter taking a ride on the Atletico winger's back. That has been the story of the first period, foul after foul. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of stoppage time.
HALF-TIME: Sevilla 0-0 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Unfortunately, the half has been marred by challenges rather than attacking football. Let's hope that is not the case in the second period at the Mestalla.
STATISTICS: The home side have dominated the possession with 70%, but both sides have managed just two attempts. That said, neither of those attempts were on target. There has been three yellow cards, but in truth it could have been about 10. Good job that Sevilla midfielder Gary Medel is not playing!
BENCH WATCH: The home side do have attacking options on the bench in the shape of Diego Perotti and Diawara, while Cicinho would also provide a forward option from right-back. Atletico, meanwhile, have a host of options with Adrian Lopez, Raul Garcia and Oliver Torres all on the bench. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval which is not too surprising based on what we have seen thus far. As it stands, Sevilla would move into 10th position, while Atletico would remain third. Right, the home side get the half underway.
Bright start to the half from the home side as Reyes turns a Navas pass towards Negredo, but Godin is on hand to make a fine block at the vital moment. Atletico attempt to break down the other end with Rodriguez, but Coke is across to clear. Let's hope for more expressive football in the second period.
Again it's bright work from Navas as the winger collects a pass from Kondogbia before delivering a dangerous cross into the box, but Godin is across to clear. The resulting corner is met by Coke, but Courtois is on hand to make a fine save. Plenty of suggestions that the first goal will soon be on its way.
Just a reminder that Atletico have the best defensive record in the league this season, which has been the basis on their success. If they can find the back of the net, it would make them big favourites to take all the points. The personal battle between Costa and Cala continues, but the referee is not interested once more.
It's really harsh on Rodriguez as the Atletico winger is penalised for handball even through the ball struck his stomach. The resulting free kick is delivered by Rakitic, but it comes to nothing. Half-chance for Falcao down the other end moments later after good work from Costa, but the striker just cannot sort out his feet in time.
End-to-end football at the moment with both sides committing numbers to each attack. The latest opportunity arrives for Atletico as Costa cuts inside before finding Suarez on the edge of the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Little under 35 minutes of football remaining at the Mestalla.
Another free kick arrives for the away side as Coke fells Costa outside the penalty area. The resulting set piece is taken by Falcao, but his effort is straight into the wall. Poor from a player of his quality. You just get the feeling that one goal would be enough to win this match. It has been that close between the two teams.
Mario Suarez is the latest player to have his name taken for a foul on Navas, which brings an angry reception from the home crowd. Sevilla have been unable to offer too much in the final third in the second period with Atletico taking control of the midfield battle. Atletico are on top with little over 30 minutes remaining.
Again the match is not allowed to proceed as Kondogbia is felled by Costa. There did not appear to be too much in it, but play has been stopped once more. Meanwhile, the home side make their first change of the match as Maduro replaces Botia. That may be for his own protection with the Spanish defender already on a yellow card.
Oh my good grief what has just happened! Costa has hit the deck under the slightest of contact from Cala, embarrassing conduct from the Brazilian. The referee has brought himself some time here. What is the official going to decide? What a strange turn of events.
The referee takes no action. Costa is a lucky man there. He should have walked for simulation. Anyway, the resulting free kick is taken by Felipe, but Falcao can only head wide of the post. Meanwhile, Atletico make the change as Rodriguez is replaced by Raul Garcia.
It is a surprise that Simeone has not withdrawn Costa from the pitch. Will he be made to regret that decision? Not too much in terms of attacking intent from either side in the last few moments. In truth, the match has been a big disappointment. But there is still time for that to change.
The Costa show continues as the Brazilian drives past two defenders before losing control of the ball, much to the delight of the home supporters. The match is a bit of a non-event at the moment with both sets of players more interested in fouling than creating chances. Little under 20 minutes of football remaining.
Atletico make their second change of the match as Costa is finally withdrawn, with Adrian Lopez entering the field. Meanwhile, Sevilla also make a change with Perotti replacing Reyes, who has faded in the second period. This match is there for the taking, but neither has forced the issue thus far.
Not too much to report in the last few moments with both teams struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third. It's good work from Adrian as the Spaniard drives down the right before finding Garcia on the edge of the box, but Kondogbia is out to make a smart challenge. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining.
GOAL! Sevilla 0-1 Atletico (Garcia)
Atletico take the lead! It's wonderful work from Adrian as the Spaniard drives down the left before finding Garcia on the opposite wing, who thumps a volley into the back of the net. What a time to pull out that strike.
Another half-chance moments later as Gabi drives into the box before striking an effort towards goal, but Coke is on hand to make a fine block. CORRECTION: SEVILLA 0-1 ATLETICO (FALCAO)
It took about five replays to show that Falcao did indeed get the slightest of touches on the effort from Garcia. Sevilla wanted the flag raised, but the Colombian was onside. Meanwhile, change for the home side as Diawara replaces Navarro.
Real frustration for the home side at the moment as Atletico continue to keep possession in their own half. What a three points it would be for the capital outfit, if they can indeed hang on. Little under 10 minutes of football remaining at the Mestalla.
Half-chance for the home side as Kondogbia collects possession outside the box before striking towards goal, but Courtois was always comfortable in dealing with the danger. Adrian Lopez is involved down the other end moments later, but his low cross into the box is cleared by Moreno.
There is just a deflated look about Sevilla at the moment as another cross is collected by Atletico's towering Belgian goalkeeper. The away side have just moved into lock down since taking the lead. It is not difficult to see why they have the best defence in the league this season.
Sevilla's run of seven home win in a row is about to end unless they can produce something magical in the final moments. Kondogbia attempts to force the issue with a strike from distance, but Courtois is down to make the save. Little over two minutes of normal time remaining.
Final change for the away side as the ever-willing Koke is replaced by Saul Niguez. It has been another impressive display from the Spanish midfielder. Two half-chances for Negredo in quick succession, but the Spaniard cannot find the target.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of added time and we are indeed into the second of those. Can Sevilla force something in the latter stages? You cannot say that they haven't had chances.
CROSSBAR! Sevilla come close to stealing a point in the latter stages, but Rakitic's free kick smashes against the crossbar. It just isn't going to happen for them this evening.
FULL-TIME: Sevilla 0-1 Atletico
So there we have it. Falcao's goal is enough to hand all three points to Atletico, who move three points behind second-placed Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Sevilla remain in 11th position. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for more La Liga football tomorrow. Until then!
