Sevilla welcomed Celta Vigo to the Estadio Ramon on Saturday looking to continue their impressive run of form on their own patch.
The away side dominated proceedings in the first period, but could not make the breakthrough with the scores level at the interval.
Celta were ahead in the early stages of the second half, however, when Alex Lopez converted from close range following a horror moment from Sevilla stopper Beto.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from the Estadio Ramon as Sevilla welcome Celta Vigo. A run of just one defeat – last time out against Real Madrid - in their last six league matches has moved Sevilla into 11th position in the table. Meanwhile, they have won three of their five matches in this stadium this season.
Celta, meanwhile, enter the match off the back of a 3-0 loss to Barcelona during the week. They put five past Malaga last weekend, but a difficult start to the season has left them in 17th position in the table. Both of their wins this season have come on the road, however, which will hand them confidence ahead of this match.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Sevilla have won four of the last five, with Celta also winning once. As mentioned, the corresponding fixture last season ended in a 4-1 win for Sevilla, but Celta were 2-0 winners on their own patch when the two sides met in October 2012.
TEAMS:
SEVILLA: Beto; Diogo, Carrico, Pareja, Alberto; Mbia, Rakitic; Vitolo, Jairo, Bacca; Gameiro
CELTA VIGO: Yoel; Carbal, Mallo, Fontas, Castro; Oubina, Fernandez; Lopez, Nolito, Charles; Mina
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Sevilla XI this evening with Kevin Gameiro coming back into the team to lead the line. There are also spots for Carlos Bacca and Jairo Samperio. Celta, meanwhile, leave Rafinha on the bench. That opens up a place for Santi Mina to lead the line. Right, the home side get the action underway on this warm evening in Sevilla.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. Sevilla will be pleased to return to the Estadio Ramon as their struggles on the road continue. Celta, however, beat Malaga 5-0 in their last away match. Let's hope for an entertaining evening in La Liga's final fixture of the night.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Celta to take the lead as Fernandez strikes one from the edge of the box, but Beto just manages to push the bouncing ball wide of the target. The resulting corner is delivered into the box by Fernandez, but the referee blows for a free kick. End-to-end start to proceedings in Sevilla as the home side advance immediately down the other end.
Neither side has really been allowed to settle in the opening six minutes with the challenges arriving from both teams in the middle of the park. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if we indeed have one - will be vital in this type of match. Both sides like to get the ball down and play, which is evident in the early stages of proceedings this evening.
Sevilla won this fixture last season 4-1, but their goals were scored by Alvaro Negredo and Gary Medel, who have both since moved to the Premier League with Manchester City and Cardiff City. However, Gameiro and Bacca have been impressive in the early stages of the campaign. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but the intensity remains.
Half-chance for the away side as Charles finds some space inside the Sevilla box before attempting to curl one into the bottom corner, but Beto just manages to make the save at the vital moment. Sevilla are down the other end with Vitolo moments later, but Oubina challenges the Spaniard. Bright opening 10 minutes from Luis Enrique's side here.
Mallo continues to take up advanced areas for the away side, but his latest cross is cleared by Moreno. A period of pin-ball follows inside the Sevilla box, but Beto just manages to clear after Fernandez had attempted to find the bottom corner. Bacca has a heading chance down the other end moments later following a cross from Gameiro, but Cabral manages to clear the danger.
CHANCE! Opportunity for the home side to open the scoring as on-loan Queens Park Rangers midfielder Mbia rises inside the box, but his header is just wide of the target. Just a few signs that the home side are starting to dominate proceedings as Vitolo bursts past Castro once more. End-to-end football with 15 minutes on the clock.
Sevilla continue to threaten in wide areas as Vitolo and Jairo take it in turns to deliver deep crosses into the box, but Celta have been compact defensively thus far. The atmosphere inside the stadium has just dropped, meanwhile, which has slowed the tempo on the pitch. Still goalless with 17 minutes on the clock.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, with both sides struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third. Much of the threat from Celta has come from long-distance strikes, while Sevilla's crossing ability has caused the away side problems. That said, we are still goalless in Sevilla.
POST! Wonderful chance for Celta to take the lead as Mina finds some space inside the Sevilla box, but the teenager's effort smashes off the post. Beto had come to make the save, but got nowhere near it. The home supporters are letting their frustrations known at the moment as Celta continue to enjoy possession inside the Sevilla half.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Bacca finds Vitolo on the edge of the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Vitolo returns the favour moments later, but Bacca just loses control at the vital moment, allowing Cabral the chance to clear the danger. Better from Unai Emery's side.
It's bright work from Figueiras as the Sevilla right-back cuts inside before delivering a wonderful cross towards Bacca, but Cabral is on hand to clear at the vital moment. The resulting corner causes problems inside the Celta box, but Yoel manages to clear at the second time of asking. Still goalless with 27 minutes on the clock in this La Liga fixture.
Mbia enters the referee's book for a challenge on Lopez, although it did appear that the on-loan QPR midfielder had got the ball. The resulting free kick is played short before Mallo delivers a deep cross into the box, but Fernandez can only turn over the crossbar from close range. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
Celta want a penalty as Beto handles Fernandez inside the box, but the referee is not interested. There is no question in my mind that a spot kick should have been awarded. The ball had already gone, but the Sevilla stopper just pulled the Argentine to the ground. Still we wait for the first goal of the match in what has been an end-to-end first period.
Good spell for Celta in the last couple of moments as they work the ball from right to left before Lopez strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Not too much in terms of chances for Sevilla in the last couple of moments as each attack continues to break down in the final third.
It's good work from Vitolo as the Sevilla winger finds some space down the right before delivering a low cross into the box, but Fontas is on hand to clear under pressure from Bacca. The home side continue to force the issue with a couple of crosses into the box, but the danger is cleared once more. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Half-chance for Celta to threaten from a free kick as Toni delivers a dangerous cross towards Charles, but Beto comes to collect at the vital moment. In keeping with the end-to-end period of the match, Sevilla break in numbers, but Vitolo's low cross is cleared by Mallo. Still goalless with 38 minutes on the clock this evening.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments as both sides continue to lose possession in the final third. It is the type of match that could be decided by the single goal, but that is yet to arrive. Strange atmosphere inside the stadium, meanwhile, which is surprising for the Estadio Ramon.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to take the lead as Nolito finds Mina inside the box, but the youngster's effort is blocked by Moreno at the vital moment. The resulting corner is delivered into the box by Fernandez, but Moreno clears at the vital moment.
Neither side has given too much away in the first period with both keeping to their shape, but I expect the match will open up in the second period. Charles tries a speculator one from outside the box moments later, but his effort was always moving wide of the post.
HALF TIME: Sevilla 0-0 Celta
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Sevilla have been strong on their own patch this season, but they are lucky to enter the interval on terms, with Celta dominating for long spells in the opening 45 minutes at the Estadio Ramon.
STATISTICS: Celta had more of the possession with 53%, while the away side have had six attempts - two of which have been on target - to Sevilla's three. Mina has looked the most likely for Celta, with the teenager twice coming close to opening the scoring. However, the home side have struggled to carve out openings in the final third.
BENCH WATCH: Sevilla certainly have options on the bench in the shape of Diego Perotti, Cristoforo and Trochowski. Meanwhile, Celta have the likes of Rafinha, Orellana and Michael Krohn-Dehli in reserve. It is a match that could be decided from the bench.
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 much of a surprise. As it stands, Sevilla would move into 10th position in the table, while Celta would rise to 15th. The away side get the second 45 minutes underway this evening.
Excuse me, there was indeed one change at the interval for Sevilla with Cristoforo replacing Bacca. That should allow the home side to gain a period of control in midfield. Bright start to the second half from Sevilla.
GOAL! Sevilla 0-1 Celta (Lopez)
It's a horror moment from Beto as the Sevilla goalkeeper presents the ball straight to Lopez, who takes one touch before slotting his effort into the back of the net. The worst possible start for the home side in the second period.
That early goal has just silenced the stadium. However, Sevilla certainly have the players to turn this one around. Vitolo threatens down the left as he drives into the box before attempting to find Gameiro, but Yoel is out to clear at the vital moment. I am still trying to comprehend what Beto was thinking in that goal.
Again it's good work from the impressive Mina as the Celta forward collects possession outside the box before attempting to combine with Charles inside the box, but Mbia comes across to clear at the vital moment. Mina has another shooting chance moments later, but Carrico is across to clear. Hardly time to take a breath at the moment as Sevilla advance down the other end, but Vitolo loses control at the vital moment.
Half-chance for Celta to add their second as Nolito creates some space on the edge of the box before attempting to curl one into the top corner, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Sevilla break down the other end with Vitolo, but once more his cross is straight into the arms of Yoel. Little over 35 minutes of football remaining in the Estadio Ramon.
Sevilla have just started to control the tempo in the last couple of moments with both of their full-backs pushing forward, but that is allowing Celta space in the final third, which Nolito continues to exploit. It would not be a surprise to see both managers look to their bench in the next five or 10 minutes. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals.
Sevilla want a penalty as Fontas appears to handle inside the box, but the referee is not interested. The home side do indeed look to their bench moments later as Perotti replaces Jairo, which is a surprise. If Unai Emery's side can score in the next 10 minutes, then you would fancy them to claim all three points.
CHANCE! First real chance of the second period for Sevilla as Gameiro finds some space inside the Celta box before finding Vitolo, but the Spaniard just slips at the vital moment and Yoel is able to clear. Celta have just started to invite some pressure as they continue to drop deeper.
POST! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Mbia rises highest inside the box, but his header thumps off the post. Moments later Celta break down the other end, but Fernandez's effort is deflected wide of the post. End-to-end football with 65 minutes on the clock.
Celta look to their bench once more as Rafinha, who is on loan from Barcelona, replaces Mina, who has had a very impressive evening in Sevilla. The home side really need the support of their fans at the moment, but it is almost silent inside the stadium. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining.
Another half-chance for the home side, this time for Moreno, as the left-back finds some space outside the box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but his effort just moved wide of the post. Mbia threatens once more moments later, but his header does not trouble Yoel. Still Sevilla wait for their first goal of the evening.
Big penalty shout for the home side as Gameiro goes down inside the box under a challenge from Fontas, but the referee is not interested. In truth, it would have been harsh, but I have seen them given. Little under 20 minutes of football remaining in the Estadio Ramon. Still Celta lead courtesy of that Lopez strike.
Sevilla make their third and final change of the evening as Trochowski replaces Mbia for the final 15 minutes or so. Sevilla continue to dominate the possession in the final third, but Celta are still comfortable in repelling the danger. Not too much for the away side as an attacking threat, however, as they continue to drop into deeper positions.
Another penalty shout for the home side as Mallo appears to handle inside the box. It might have been handball, but replays have shown that the incident took place outside the box. Celta have just slowed the tempo in the last couple of moments with a series of fouls, which is frustrating the home supporters and transmitting to the players.
The referee has been more involved than he would like in the last couple of moments with the challenges flying in from both sides. In truth, not too much has happened in the last few minutes with Celta comfortable in repelling the home side's threat. Little over 10 minutes for Sevilla to turn this one around. It does not look likely at the moment.
It does not look too clever for Gameiro at the moment as the Frenchman holds his groin before moving to the side of the pitch, but Sevilla have made all three changes. If the striker is to continue, he will have to limp around for the final 10 minutes. There is no real intensity to Sevilla at the moment as Celta continue to put men behind the ball.
Celta make their third and final change of the evening as Lopez - whose goal is proving decisive at the moment - departs for Orellana. That is certainly an attacking change from Enrique. Vitolo has another half-chance for the home side moments later, but his effort was always moving wide of the post from close range.
The Celta supporters can be heard as we approach the final couple of minutes in the Estadio Ramon. However, there is still time for Sevilla to take at least a point from this match. Trochowski takes matters into his own hands moments later, but his effort is wide of the post. Beto's horror moment is costing his team with 86 minutes on the clock.
Gameiro has indeed left the field, which means that Sevilla will play the final couple of minutes with 10 men. Strange that the Frenchman did not attempt to remain on the pitch at this stage of proceedings. Still Celta remain comfortable, which is quite incredible in the Estadio Ramon, which has been such a tough place for teams to come in recent seasons.
Nervy moment for Celta as Trochowski threatens to muscle past Mallo inside the box, but the Spaniard just manages to stand strong at the vital moment. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the first of those.
Celta make their third and final change in the latter stages as Jonathan Vila replaces Nolito, who has been impressive this evening. Time is running out for Sevilla as another deep cross into the box comes to nothing. That could be just about that for this one.
FULL TIME: Sevilla 0-1 Celta
So there we have it. A horror moment from Beto gifts Celta all three points in the Estadio Ramon. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us tomorrow for more La Liga football. Until then!
