Relegation-threatened Granada played host to top-four hopefuls Sevilla in La Liga on Sunday afternoon.
The home side took the lead after 16 minutes when Diego Mainz found the top corner with a header.
Mainz scored at the wrong end after 70 minutes, however, to leave the score at 1-1.
Sevilla pushed for a winner in the latter stages, but the hosts held on to secure a vital point.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes as Granada welcome Sevilla. Both of these teams are in need of the points, but for very different reasons. The home side are battling to remain in the league, while Sevilla are targeting a top-four finish.
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS:
GRANADA: Roberto; Nyom, Mainz, Cala, Insua; Perez, Iturra; Candeias, Rico, Ibanez; Success
SEVILLA: Rico; Diogo, Pareja, Kolo, Navarro; Krychowiak, MBia; Reyes, Suarez, Vitolo; Bacca
Granada are still without the services of injured trio Eddy Silvestre, Jeison Murillo and Adrian Colunga, but Abel Resino has still made changes. Isaac Success has been given the forward role ahead of both Piti and Jhon Cordoba, while Robert Ibanez and Daniel Candeias will offer support in the wide areas.
Sevilla, meanwhile, are without key midfielder Vicente Iborra through suspension, while Daniel Carrico misses out with an injury. Kevin Gameiro, Ever Banega, Coke and Aleix Vidal are all on the bench for the visitors, meaning that there are starts for Denis Suarez, Jose Antonio Reyes, Diogo Figueiras and Stephane MBia. It is far from Sevilla's strongest team, but still one full of quality and indeed fresh legs.
Sevilla have won each of the last five meetings between the two teams – including four straight victories in the league. Unai Emery's side were 2-1 winners in the corresponding game last season, while they recorded a 4-0 victory when the pair met in Seville earlier this season. What's more, Sevilla have scored 15 goals in their last four matches against Granada. Will that sequence continue here?
With 31 games played, Granada have collected 24 points having won just four league games all season. That total has left them in 19th position in the table and currently four points from safety. They are far from out of the race, but victories at this stage of the campaign are just crucial. They might have only won four league games this term, but three of those have come in this stadium.
Granada are struggling for results at the moment, however, with their last league victory occurring against Malaga on March 7. Since then, they have lost to Rayo Vallecano, Real Madrid and Almeria, in addition to drawing with Eibar and Celta Vigo. They lost the crucial six-pointer against Almeria last weekend and have some really tough games ahead – facing high-flying Valencia away after this one.
Sevilla, meanwhile, are enjoying a fine season. They continued their fight to win back-to-back Europa Leagues with a 2-1 victory over Zenit St Petersburg in the first leg of their quarter-final on Thursday. Emery's side have also won five of their last six in the league and they came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 against Barcelona last time out. It was some response from Sevilla at the Estadio Ramon.
That run of form has left Sevilla in fifth position in the table and they are now just three points behind fourth-place Valencia, who lost 2-0 at Barcelona on Saturday. That said, all seven of Sevilla's league defeats this season have come on their travels. At home, they have not lost in the league in over 14 months, but it has been a mixed bag on the road, despite winning eight times. Kickoff is imminent here.
PREDICTION! Granada might fancy their chances of securing a shock result here, but I just cannot see past Sevilla. The away side's confidence is so high at the moment and I expect them to record another three points, although it should be a tight affair. Predicted score: Granada 1-2 Sevilla.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as the hosts get the first half underway here.
It is getting to the stage of the season where it is now or never for Granada. They have to start picking up wins if they are to remain in the league. Sevilla, however, will be looking to capitalise on Valencia's loss at Barcelona on Saturday. As expected, the home side have made a bright start to proceedings.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early exchanges here, but Granada have been in control of the possession. You just get the feeling that the first goal could be decisive here.
Just a few signs that Sevilla are starting to warm to their task, but Bacca has been isolated in the final third thus far. It must be said that the pitch is in beautiful condition for this stage of the season.
CHANCE! Sevilla have a wonderful chance to take the lead as Vitolo meets a through ball from Suarez, but the attacker is just challenged at the final moment and his effort trickles wide.
BOOKING! Reyes (Sevilla) goes in the book for a late challenge on Success.
Bacca has not had too much good service thus far, but the Sevilla striker is chasing everything in the final third and certainly unnerving the Granada defence. Sevilla are on top at the moment here.
Good pressure from the away side in the last couple of minutes, but Cala is on hand to clear a corner, before Diogo has an effort blocked on the edge of the box. The pressure continues as Vitolo beats his full-back before crossing towards Bacca, but Roberto is out to claim at the vital moment here.
Sevilla are in control at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. Granada are having breakaways, but the home side have struggled to find that elusive final pass thus far.
Granada just cannot keep the ball for any extended period at the moment as Sevilla continue to close the space in the middle of the park. Success's pace is causing some problems, but the forward has been isolated in the Sevilla half thus far. Still goalless with 16 minutes on the clock in this one.
GOAL! Granada 1-0 Sevilla (Mainz)
Breakthrough Granada! Vital goal in the context of this game and indeed the season as Mainz heads a deep corner into the back of the net. Very simple goal, but effective! Where was the marking?!
As it stands, Granada would still be in the relegation zone, but they would be just one point from safety. That said, this game is far from over - Sevilla are looking dangerous on the counter attack.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to score a second as Ibanez collects a smart Nyom pass inside the Sevilla box, but his low effort just flashes wide of the far post!
Granada are threatening a second goal at the moment as they continue to work the ball into wide areas and Success's pace is causing all sorts of problems. Sevilla are far from comfortable here.
Half-chance for Sevilla as MBia meets a cross from Vitolo, but the Cameroon international cannot direct his header towards the goal and the home side clear. End-to-end football at the moment.
Another half-chance for Sevilla as MBia finds a yard of space outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. The opening 25 minutes have just flown past here.
POST! Almost an own goal as Diogo attempts to clear a deep cross from the right and gets it all wrong, but it just smashes the outside of the post. Granada are really threatening here.
CHANCE! Sevilla come close to levelling as Bacca meets a deep free kick from Suarez, but the striker's header is blocked by Mainz. Excellent defending from the Granada skipper!
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of minutes, but Sevilla are threatening in the final third, with Bacca's movement causing problems. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be crucial. Little over 15 minutes of the half remaining.
The game is flowing from end-to-end at the moment, with both teams committing numbers in the final third. Sevilla are looking for the more dangerous, however, with Suarez heavily involved.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for the away side as Pareja slides a super pass towards Bacca, but the striker can only fire wide of the post. Sevilla are really threatening at the moment.
I would be surprised if Sevilla did not score at least once this afternoon and you would have to fancy them if they levelled late in this first period. Granada need to keep their concentration here.
Sevilla are winning the midfield battle at the moment, with MBia particularly impressive. Again the midfielder meets a deep cross at the far post, but his effort trickles behind. Still 1-0 Granada here.
Bacca has another effort from a narrow angle, but Roberto tips behind. All Sevilla at the moment.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments, with both sides guilty of a number of late challenges. Sevilla remain on the front foot in Granada.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, with the stop-start nature of the game continuing late in the half. Granada just need to remain tight for the next few minutes.
Good spell of possession for Granada in the last couple of moments, with Perez and Ibanez both involved down the left. The move breaks down, but the home side still have their lead in tact.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes at the end of this half.
Sevilla have an opportunity on the counter as Vitolo feeds Bacca, but the Colombian's touch is poor and Mainz is on hand to make the clearance. Bacca has looked the most likely for the visitors here.
HALF-TIME: Granada 1-0 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Granada leading 1-0 courtesy of a 16th-minute header from Diego Mainz. Sevilla have had a number of chances to draw level, but have thus far been unable to make the breakthrough. It has been an entertaining affair here.
STATS! Sevilla have just about shaded the possession with 52%, while they have had five attempts, but thus far failed to find the target. Granada, meanwhile, have hit the target just once, but it has been decisive. There has also been just the one booking, with Reyes (Sevilla) having his name taken.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have plenty of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes of Bangoura, Cordoba, Piti and RIki all in reserve. Sevilla, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Aspas, Banega, Gameiro and Vidal. Plenty of talent on both benches here!
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Sevilla find a route back into this match? It is the visitors that get the second 45 minutes of action underway.
No changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that alterations will indeed occur if the score remains 1-0 for the next 15 or 20 minutes in this one.
CHANCE! Another excellent chance for Sevilla as Suarez angles a header towards the top corner, but Mainz manages to deflect over the crossbar. Some game the Granada captain is having!
Without sounding like a broken record, I would be surprised if Sevilla did not score at least once in this second period, such if their attacking threat. Granada need to try and get on the front foot.
Another half-chance for Sevilla as Krychowiak finds space outside the Granada box, but his effort is high of the crossbar. Not too much from Granada in the way of pressure in this second period.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to score a second as Candeias drives into the Sevilla box, but his low effort is saved by Rico. Excellent goalkeeping from the Spaniard.
Granada have just started to threaten in this second period as Success evades a host of challenges before crossing towards Iturra, but MBia is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Still 1-0 here.
We are getting to the stage of the match where both managers, especially Emery, will be considering changes. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals with still more than 30 to play.
Success continues to cause problems for the home side, with his pace and power forcing yet another corner. However, the resulting set piece from Ibanez is played short and eventually headed wide by Mainz, who was always moving away from goal. Sevilla are preparing a double change here.
SUBS! Vidal and Banega replace Vitolo and Navarro for the away side.
Still no movement on the Granada bench, but Resino might look to freshen it up as this second period continues to gather pace. Success has been a real live-wire, but the striker has been isolated.
Half-chance for Sevilla as Banega meets a through ball from MBia, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining and the hosts still lead 1-0 here.
It just isn't quite happening for Sevilla at the moment as Vidal loses control in a wide area, allowing Granada to regain possession. Moments later, Banega fires a pass into Suarez, but Mainz clears.
BOOKING! Rico (Granada) is booked for a late challenge on Suarez.
Success, for me, has been the best player on the pitch this afternoon. The Granada forward has caused Sevilla all sorts of problems in the final third, with his pace proving too much to handle.
Half-chance for the home side as Rico finds space outside the box, but his low effort was always moving wide of the post. I suspect that Gameiro will soon enter for the away side here.
Time is just starting to run out for Sevilla, who are facing an unlikely defeat here. Granada, with all three points, would remain in the bottom three, but would be just one point from safety.
GOAL! Granada 1-1 Sevilla (Mainz OG)
Mainz scores his second goal of the match, but this time at the wrong end. It is a super low cross from Vidal and the Granada captain can only turn into his own net. In truth, that goal had been coming.
A point would still be a good result for Granada here, but they are under serious pressure now.
Granada just cannot get out of their own half at the moment as Sevilla continue to force the issue. Another cross is delivered by Reyes, but Mainz wins the header ahead of Bacca. Still 1-1 here.
Banega takes matters into his own hands for the away side, but his effort is high and wide.
SUB! Granada look to their bench as Lass Bangoura replaces Ibanez.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to take the lead as Vidal delivers another super cross towards the centre of the box, but Diogo can only fire high of the crossbar!
SUB! Granada make their second change as Juan Carlos replaces Candeias.
BOOKING! MBia (Sevilla) is booked for a late challenge on Iturra.
Sevilla work the ball wonderfully down the left as Suarez combines with Bacca, but the latter was just offside when he collected the final pass. All of the football is being played by the visitors here.
SUB! Sevilla make their third change as Gameiro replaces Bacca.
Suarez again does well in a wide position to force a corner, but Granada once again clear at the near post. You just get the feeling that there is going to be a late sting in the tail in Granada.
SUB! Granada make their final change as Piti replaces Perez.
Time is just starting to run out if we are to have a winner in this one, but Sevilla are the team on the front foot. In truth, this would be a better point for Granada than it would be for the visitors here.
Granada force a free kick in a dangerous area as MBia brings Iturra to the ground...
... the resulting set piece is delivered by Piti, but it floats over the crossbar. Poor from the Spaniard.
Sevilla are on the front foot as we enter the final minute of normal time. Granada would be happy with a point at the moment, but the visitors want all three. Suarez finds a yard of space outside the home side's box, but his low strike is saved by Roberto. All one-way traffic at the moment here.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes here.
CHANCE! OH MY WORD! Incredible chance for the away side to win it as Reyes fires a low cross towards the far post, but Gameiro can only plant his effort wide. All Sevilla at the moment.
Granada are just about holding on as Sevilla continue to flood forward in numbers.
FULL-TIME: Granada 1-1 Sevilla
So there we have it. Granada survive a late onslaught to claim a point in a 1-1 draw with Sevilla. The home side remain in the relegation zone - three points from safety. Sevilla, meanwhile, are still in fifth and still three points behind fourth-place Valencia. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action!
