Gerard Deulofeu scored the only goal of the game to fire Sevilla to a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in their La Liga clash this evening.

The visitors pressed early in the game and Zaldua tried his luck from distance as he fired a low shot at goal, but his effort went wide of the target.

Sevilla responded and Nico Pareja managed to find space inside the box to unleash a shot, although Enaut Zubikarai was on hand to make a comfortable save to his right.

However, the home side took the lead in the 18th minute when Deulofeu diverted Benoit Tremoulinas's cross from the right past Zubikarai into the net.

Sociedad tried to level the scores just before the break when the ball fell to Imanol Agirretxe as he latched on to Alberto de la Bella's cross, but Beto managed to keep his effort out.

In the second half, the visitors continued to exert pressure on the Sevilla defence and Gonzalo Castro nearly found an equaliser as he curled his effort just past the post.

Carlos Bacca could have doubled his side's lead when he raced onto a through-ball from Stephane Mbia, but he couldn't finish as he fired his shot straight at Zubikarai.

The visitors responded and Carlos Vela tried his luck from just outside the box although his effort lacked direction and sailed well over the crossbar.

Mbia could have secured the three points in the 80th minute for Sevilla but Zubikarai beat his header away from goal, although the home side were able to hold out for the victory.