Real Mallorca welcomed Sevilla to the Iberostar Estadi on Saturday looking to make it back-to-back wins in La Liga.
The home side were ahead after 16 minutes when Alejandro Alfaro tapped home from close range, with that score still standing at the interval.
Sevilla were level just past the hour mark when Alvaro Negredo slotted into the back of the net from inside the box. However, Mallorca regained the lead moments later when Alfaro scored his second of the match.
The away side pushed for the leveller in the latter stages, but they could not make the breakthrough as Mallorca held on for a vital three points in their fight for survival.
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 Mallorca as the home side welcome an improving Sevilla team. Mallorca gave themselves some hope with victory over Granada last weekend, but they remain in 19th position in the table. Their home form becomes so important in the latter stages of the season.
Their home has been fairly poor this season, however, with just three wins from their 12 matches, taking 12 points in the process. That said, they will be buoyed by Sevilla’s form on the road this season, with the 10th-placed outfit winning just once from 13 matches away from home. It is very finely balanced.
Sevilla have certainly been much-improved in recent weeks, however, with 12 points from their last six matches. That run of form has moved them into the top half of the table, while they feel will that they have the players to embark on a late push for the Europa League. If that is to be the case, nights such as this become important.
TEAMS;
MALLORCA: Aouate; Hutton, Nunes, Kevin, Bigas; Tissone, Marti, Pina, Victor; Alfaro, Giovani
SEVILLA: Beto; Navarro, Fazio, Coke, Botia; Moreno, Navas, Rakitic, Medel, Kondogbia; Negredo
Here we go then. Just a quick note on the main team news. No Tomer Hemed for the home side, with Alfaro joining Giovani dos Santos in attack. Sevilla, meanwhile, leave out Manu del Moral and Jose Antonio Reyes, with Alberto Moreno handed another start. The away side get the action underway.
Sevilla really have found some serious form in recent weeks, with the likes of Negredo and Navas impressing. Scrappy start to this match as the challenges fly in from both sides. The free kick is awarded to the away side, but Medel's delivery is straight into the arms of Aouate.
It's good work from Giovani as the Mallorca winger collects possession before driving down the right, but Botia is across fell the Mexican. The resulting free kick is whipped into the penalty area by Alfaro, but Nunes is just inches away from making contact. High-tempo opening four minutes to this La Liga contest.
Sevilla have just settled with possession in the last couple of moments with the likes of Medel and Kondogbia seeing plenty of the ball. The latter attempts to slide a pass towards Negredo, but Nunes is across to clear the danger. You just get the feeling that there will not be too many goals this evening.
Navas is involved for the away side as the Spaniard collects possession before dancing into the box, but Kevin is across to face up his fellow countryman. Mallorca attempt to launch an immediate counter with Alfaro, but the striker's pass towards Giovani is just too long, with the ball running out of play.
Slightly scrappy period of the match in the last couple of moments with Kondogbia the latest player to be chopped down in the middle of the park. You sense that the referee could be in for a difficult evening as the home support call for every decision. Not too many chances inside the opening 10 minutes.
Not a full house inside the stadium by any stretch of the imagination, but there is a good atmosphere. The noise level raises as Giovani dances past two players on the edge of the Sevilla box, but he just cannot fashion a shooting chance. Navas launches a counter down the other end, but Marti is across to fell the Spanish winger.
Sevilla continue to play the better football as they pass and probe outside the penalty area, but they just cannot find a way through this stern Mallorca defence. A half-chance does arrive as Negredo meets a cross from Moreno, but his header was straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Difficult spell for the home side with 14 minutes on the clock.
Giovani is again involved for the home side as he runs some 30 yards to the edge of the penalty area, but the Mexican is felled by Botia. The resulting free kick is whipped into the penalty area by Marti, but Negredo is back defending his own box. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be all-important this evening.
GOAL! Mallorca 1-0 Sevilla (Alfaro)
The home side take the lead after 16 minutes as Alfaro is first to react in the penalty area from a Giovani free kick. The Mexican's set piece had rattled the crossbar, but Alfaro was on hand to tap home from close range.
A reminder that Mallorca currently occupy 19th spot in the table, but they would move to within one point of safety with victory this evening. Sevilla attempt to respond down the other end, but Rakitic's effort was always moving over the crossbar. High-tempo opening 19 minutes to this match.
Another half-chance comes to the away side as Negredo meets a cross from Rakitic, but he can only plant his header straight at the goalkeeper. Many people had written off Mallorca's survival hopes, but victory against Granada last week has given them hope. Another three points here would move them to within one point of safety. However, Deportivo would be cut further adrift.
In fairness to Sevilla they have utterly dominated the possession since falling behind, but they are finding it difficult to break through this Mallorca defence, which has been much-improved in recent weeks. Medel attempts to go alone as he strikes from distance, but his effort was always rising.
First sign of Coke as an attacking threat as the Sevilla full-back drives to the edge of the box before whipping a cross towards Negredo, but Nunes is across to make another fine header. Navas is involved moments later as he plays a pass towards Kondogbia, but Aouate is across to claim.
The challenges continue to fly in from both sides with the referee called into action. The latest foul allows Sevilla the chance to find the target from outside the box, but the resulting free kick from Rakitic is over the crossbar. Little over 15 minutes of the half remaining, with that Alfaro strike still separating the two sides.
Sevilla continue to pass and probe outside the penalty area as they attempt to work the ball from left to right, Kondogbia eventually has an effort, but it bounces off Kevin before allowing the home side the chance to break. However, Giovani picks the wrong pass in the final third and Beto is across to clear the danger.
Again it is good running from Giovani as the Mexican winger chases a loose ball before advancing down the left, but he is too quick for his teammates and the danger is cleared. Navas forces the issue down the other end, but his cross is blocked by Pina. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
All one-way traffic as the away side continue to play most of the football, but they have not managed to create a clear chance in the opening 35 minutes of football. You just get the feeling that the next goal could decide the outcome. Sevilla would fancy it from 1-1, but another Mallorca strike would put them in serious control of proceedings.
CHANCE! Glorious chance for the home side to extend their lead as Marti finds Alfaro in the box, but his strike is pushed away Beto. The resulting corner also causes problems in the Sevilla box, but eventually Botia is out to clear the danger. Better from Mallorca.
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Pass, pass, pass from Sevilla as they desperately attempt to find that gap in the Mallorca defence, but the home side are just to compact. The whistles can be heard from the home supporters, which is creating a good atmosphere inside the stadium. Moreno attempts to go alone, but his effort is wide of the post from close range.
Little under five minutes of the first period remaining, but there have not really been too many clear chances for either side. There has been a lot of possession in the final third, but aside from a couple of efforts from distance, neither goalkeeper has been too worried. That said, Beto might have done slightly better from the rebound which led to the only goal of the match.
Sevilla end the half as they started it, in control of the possession. They have not done too much wrong in the opening 44 minutes, but there has been little, if any, goal threat. I suspect that we could see the likes of Reyes and Manu in the second period. As it stands, Mallorca are moving to within one point of La Liga safety.
Slight problem for Alfaro in the latter stages of the half as he takes one flush in the face, but he is deemed fit to continue following a period of treatment. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of stoppage time at the end of the half.
HALF-TIME: Mallorca 1-0 Sevilla
So there we have it. Hardly a vintage half of La Liga football, but Mallorca will not mind. Just the one goal in the opening 45 minutes of football with the home side leading courtesy of a strike from Alfaro after 16 minutes. However, chances have been few and far between.
STATISTICS: Sevilla have utterly dominated possession with 75%, while they have had five attempts to Mallorca's three. However, it cannot be said that either defence has been particularly worried by the opposing attack thus far.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a host of attacking options on the bench this evening with the likes of Hemed, Emilio Nsue and Ximo. Meanwhile, Sevilla will almost certainly call upon Reyes and Manu at some point in the match. There are certainly goals in that list.
As it stands, Sevilla would drop into 11th position in the table despite a solid run of form. Mallorca, meanwhile, would move into 18th, just one point from safety. However, I suspect that we have not seen the last of the goals this evening. Be sure to remain with us for the entirety of the action.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side which is perhaps not too surprising at this stage of events. What a result it would be for Mallorca if they could hang on, but Sevilla will have something to say about that. The home side get the action underway.
Bright start from Mallorca as Alfaro collects possession down the left before driving a low cross into the box, but Beto is across to clear at the vital moment. His long kick almost turns into the perfect pass for Negredo, but the linesman raises his flag, much to the frustration of the striker. No signs of the tempo dropping here!
It must be said that the atmosphere inside the stadium has been wonderful this evening. However, Mallorca's performance has certainly kept the supporters on side. Sevilla attempt to force the issue once more as Kondogbia embarks on a powerful run from midfield, but Kevin is across to clear. End-to-end football with 50 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Glorious chance for the home side as Marti meets a cross from Giovani, but his header just moves wide of the post. Sevilla attempt to launch an immediate counter, but Navas's ball towards Negredo is just too long. I would be astounded if there were not more goals in this match.
Sevilla waste no time in making a change as Kondogbia is replaced by Baba. The latter has not had too many chances this season, but has the best part of 35 minutes to exert his influence on this match. Meanwhile, the Mallorca supporters continue to make their voices known as they are conducted by a very happy man with a drum.
The end-to-end period of the match continues as Navas darts into the Mallorca penalty area before drilling wide of the target, before Giovani has a similar effort down the other end. I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but for all the attacking pressure, there has not been too many clear chances for either team this evening.
Giovani is again involved for Mallorca as he dances past three defender before striking towards the bottom corner, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Still no movement on the home side's bench, although I would expect Fontas to be introduced in the next 10 minutes or so. Especially if their lead remains intact.
Half-chance for Navas as the Spaniard collects possession outside the box before firing an effort towards the bottom corner, but Beto is on hand to make a fine save. Rakitic comes close with a similar effort moments later, but the goal continues to elude the away side. Stunning atmosphere with just about 30 minutes remaining.
CHANCE! Glorious opportunity for the home side on the counter as Giovani meets a cross from Alfaro, but Beto is across to make a quite stunning save from the Mexican's header. The resulting corner is whipped in by the Mexican, but the danger is cleared.
GOAL! Mallorca 1-1 Sevilla (Negredo)
It just had to be him! Negredo is the coolest man on the pitch as the striker collects a pass from Rakitic before sliding his effort into the back of the net. It is cruel on Mallorca, but their tempo had started to drop in the last couple of minutes.
Reyes is perhaps the unluckiest man in the ground as he is forced to put his training jacket back on having been readied to enter the action. That strike from Negredo changes the whole feel of this match. Little over 25 minutes for someone to find a winner in this enthralling La Liga encounter.
Sevilla are the team on the front foot at the moment as they continue to commit players to each attack, but there is a worry that they will be caught on the counter with the pace of Mallorca. This would really hurt Mallorca if they were to lose from a winning position. But they are still more than in this contest.
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CHANCE! Giovani is again involved for the home side as he picks up possession outside the box before bending an effort towards the top corner, but Beto is across to make a fine save.
GOAL! Mallorca 2-1 Sevilla (Alfaro)
Alfaro strikes again! Not the prettiest of goals from the striker as he taps home from inside a crowded penalty box, but ask him if he cares. Mallorca lead with little over 20 minutes of football remaining. What a match.
Sevilla finally make that change as Reyes replaces Botia. All hands to the pump in the final stages of this match. With the way that each side are committing players forward, it would not be a surprise to see another couple of goals.
There is a carnival-like atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment as the home supporters continue to create a sensational volume. Sevilla attempt to level the scores once more with two corners in quick succession, but the first is headed over by Coke before Aoaute claims the second.
Marti is the latest Mallorca player to have his name taken for a late challenge on Reyes. The resulting free kick is whipped into the penalty area by Rakitic, but Coke can only head over the crossbar once more. Mallorca really need to ride out this spell of pressure and attempt to force something on the counter, in the shape of Giovani.
Alfaro may have scored the goals for the home side this evening, but Giovani has been the star man. He is the best player in this team by a country mile. If he can continue this form until the end of the season, then they will have a real chance of pulling off the great escape. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining this evening.
It does not look too clever for Marti as the Mallorca midfielder is taken off on a stretcher, with Marquez on to replace the outgoing Spaniard. Unai Emery, meanwhile, comes across to have a few words in the ear of Negredo. He needs his striker to produce something late on here.
Little over 10 minutes of football remaining in the match and the referee is called into action on a number of occasions to deal with a host of dangerous challenges. It has just become slightly scrappy in the last few moments. Meanwhile, Mallorca make their second change of the match as Alfaro is replaced by Hemed.
The away side continue to force the issue with a spell of pressure in the Mallorca half, but they are just struggling to find that elusive final pass, as was the case in the first period. However, you just get the feeling that there could be a late sting in the tail here.
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Sevilla make their second change of the match as Cicinho replaces Coke. The Brazilian is involved immediately as he drives down the right before delivering a dangerous cross into the box, but Nunes is across to make a fine clearance. Hemed attempts to gather down the other end, but the powerful striker cannot keep hold of the ball.
Emery is barking out his orders on the touchline as he watches another Sevilla attack break down at the final moment. They have had enough possession to win two football matches, but they have been unable to turn it into clear chances. However, there is still time for late drama here.
A searching cross from Cicinho causes all sorts of problems in the Mallorca box, but the impressive Hutton is across to thump clear. Giovani is on hand to collect the clearance from the Scottish international, but he can only run it out of play for a throw. Little over one minute of normal time remaining.
Slightly bitty period of the match in the closing stages as the challenges continue to fly in from both sides. Not that Mallorca will mind as the clock continues to run down. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes as Giovani is replaced by Nsue.
Sevilla continue to force the issue in the latter stages, but they just cannot find that final pass once more, with Hutton clearing his lines. Mallorca are closing in on what would be a vital three points in their fight fur survival. Hemed acts as the cheerleader as he raises the crowd.
RED CARD! The home side are reduced to 10 men in the closing moments as Marquez picks up another yellow card for handball outside the box. However, it is as if the crowd haven't noticed as they create a deafening noise.
FULL-TIME: Mallorca 2-1 Sevilla
So there we have it. Mallorca do indeed hold on to pick up a vital three points, while Sevilla's away struggles continue. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us from 10.30am tomorrow for more La Liga football. Until then!
