Sevilla welcomed Real Valladolid to the Estadio Ramon on Monday looking for the three points that would have moved them into the top half of the La Liga table.
They were 2-0 down inside 12 minutes, however, with Patrick Ebert and Gonzalez Oscar both capitalising on poor defending from the home side.
Sevilla had one back through a Manucho own-goal five minutes after the break, but they were down to 10 men moments later when Gary Medel was given his matching orders.
The pressure remained from the home side in the latter stages, but they could not force an equaliser as Valladolid held on for just their second away win of the season.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Week 14 in La Liga is concluded as Sevilla welcome a stubborn Valladolid outfit to the Estadio Ramon. The home side have not been in the best of form this season, but a series of back-to-back wins would elevate them into the European picture.
Teams:
Sevilla: Rodriguez; Navarro, Cala, Maduro, Cicinho, Botia; Navas, Medel, Perotti, Reyes; Diawara
Valladolid: Hernandez; Rukavina, Valiente, Balenziaga, Rueda; Oscar, Omar, Rubio, Ebert; Perez, Manucho
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, both have won two of the previous five matches with the other ending in a draw. The last time Sevilla recorded a home win against Valladolid was in 2009, but much has changed at both clubs since then.
Let's take a look at how both sides have fared in the league this season. Sevilla began their season with a 2-1 win over Getafe before picking up two draws. Back-to-back wins against Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna then followed in an impressive start to the campaign.
However, they then suffered successive defeats to Barcelona and Celta Vigo before beating Real Mallorca. Their form has been slightly hit and miss in the past few weeks, meanwhile, with a record of two wins, two defeats and a draw in their last five league matches.
Meanwhile, Valladolid's season began with a 1-0 win over Real Zaragoza and they made it two wins from two with victory over Levante. Three straight defeats then followed, but they returned to form with a thumping win over Rayo Vallecano.
They have managed just three wins from their last nine matches in all competitions, however, and with Real Madrid and Barcelona to come before the winter break they will be keen to pick up a run of points.
Sevilla boss Michel told AS ahead of the match: “I expect to see more of the Sevilla that these players have shown me recently, a Sevilla side that is starting to enjoy more good games than bad ones. The players are high on confidence and they showed as much in the Copa del Rey."
You just get the feeling that the home side need to pick up three points this evening in front of their own crowd. It is important that they start well in order to keep the crowd on side. For Valladolid, it could work exactly in their favour in this match.
Here we go then. Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Passionate home crowd? Check. Stay with us for the action on this cold evening in Sevilla. Let's hope for goals as week 14 is brought to a close.
Sevilla get the action underway at the Ramon Sanchez. The home side have four players who would have made their starting side this evening unavailable. But Valladolid have an almost fully-fit squad to choose from with Jesus Rueda recovering from a stomach injury.
Sevilla have only lost one game at home this season - to Barcelona - but it would be fair to say that their confidence is fragile. Valladolid will not come here and lay down this evening make no mistake about that.
GOAL! Sevilla 0-1 Real Valladolid (Ebert)
Oh my word. What was I saying? The away side take the lead after just two minutes as Patrick Ebert drives into the penalty area before curling his effort into the far corner. What a shocking start for the home side.
Sevilla attempt to attack immediately down the other end as Jose Antonio Reyes drives into the Valladolid box, but he is bundled over and the referee shakes his head. The goal has given the away side confidence and they are the side dictating much of the early tempo.
The match has just settled in the past few moments with the home side enjoying decent possession of the ball. Jesus Navas collects a pass from Botia on the right, but he is blocked by Oscar on his route to goal. Meanwhile, the home supporters are just starting to get on their player's backs
It is far from a packed house inside the stadium this evening but those here are expressing their displeasure. Sevilla have had possession of the ball since the goal, but they are lacking ideas at the moment without Alvaro Negredo as a target.
Again Navas appears the most likely for Sevilla as he picks up possession on the right before attempting to find the run of Baba Diawara, but Jesus Rueda steps across to clear the danger. Slightly scrappy period to the match at the moment with both sides giving away fouls in midfield.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Alvaro Rubio fires a high cross into the penalty area towards Victor Perez. The midfielder makes contact with his head, but Cala is on hand to block the danger. Valladolid do appear a real threat on the counter with the pace of Ebert and Manucho.
GOAL! Sevilla 0-2 Real Valladolid (Oscar)
Valladolid have their second as Oscar is on hand to finish from close range. There was a slight bit of luck as Ebert's effort struck Oscar and the midfielder pounced to loop over the goalkeeper. What a horrendous start for the home side.
Two chances, two goals. That is what is called clinical finishing. There was just complete silence inside the stadium when they scored their second. Almost as if it hit the side netting. It really was horror defending as Oscar was allowed time and space to pick his spot.
Sevilla attempt to respond as Reyes strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was saved by Hernandez. The away side advance immediately down the other end with Manucho, but his effort was pushed wide by Diego Lopez. That could quite easily have been 3-0 and very much game over.
Half-chance for the home side once more as Reyes strikes a free kick from outside the penalty area, but it smashes into the face of Alvaro Rubio who receives a sore head for his troubles. Slight break in play as he has some treatment. It appears that he will be taken off.
Rubio shows his commitment to the cause, however, as he returns to the field of play. Sastre had been waiting on the sideline, but he is sent back to the bench. So, 20 minutes of football played and the away side lead. It perhaps could and maybe should have been three.
The pressure from Sevilla continues as Reyes stands over another free kick, but his set piece is headed wide by Diawara. It really should have hit the back of the net from that angle. You just get the feeling that if the home side can get one back before the interval then it will change the entire feel of the match.
Not a great deal to report in terms of chances at the moment. Sevilla are dominating possession of the ball, but the away side are sitting in and absorbing the danger. The lack of atmosphere inside the stadium is not helping the players. It is almost like a training match.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the home side as Reyes floats a cross towards Gary Medel, but somehow the midfielder can only fire his header wide of the post from close range. That really should have been their route back into the match.
Meanwhile, Sevilla make their first change of the match as Cicinho is replaced by Bryan Rabello. The Chilean striker has only played a few times for the reserve side and this is his debut in the league this evening. The supporters let out a polite applause as he entered the field. Without really knowing who indeed he was.
Another half-chance for the home side as Navas floats another cross into the penalty area, but once more Medel can only turn wide of the post from close range. Nothing much from Valladolid as an attacking threat at the moment, but they have the lead.
Another sighter for the home side as Medel strikes an effort from outside the box, but Hernandez is comfortable in dealing with the danger. In fairness to Sevilla they are completely dominating the match at the moment, but the only statistic that matters sees them trail by two goals.
CHANCE! Rabello comes close to a debut goal as he strikes an effort from outside the penalty area, but it smashed onto the post. What a moment that would have been from the youngster. But it has certainly raised the home crowd. Little over 10 minutes of the half remaining.
The pressure remains from the home side with Perotti and Diawara both putting crosses into the penalty area in the past few moments, but Marc Valiente is on hand to clear the danger. It has been the perfect away performance from Valladolid thus far.
Everything is going down the right for Sevilla with Navas enjoying plenty of the ball, but the away side continue to double up and force the Spaniard into a poor pass. Meanwhile, Ebert has won his side a vital couple of free kicks in the past few moments.
Decent spell of possession from the away side in the past few moments with Omar and Oscar both enjoying touches of the ball. Meanwhile, Reyes continues to frustrate his teammates as he loses possession time and time again. He has plenty of ability, but he is having one of those games. We saw plenty of them at Arsenal.
The home side's frustrations continue as Fernando Navarro is handed a yellow card for a cheap foul on Ebert. Little over two minutes of the half remaining and the score remains 2-0. But just a singular goal for Sevilla would change the entire feel of the match.
Half-chance for Valladolid as Ebert floats a high free kick into the penalty area, but Manucho just cannot make contact and Diego Lopez restarts the play with a goal kick. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates an additional two minutes of football.
Half-chance for the away side in the remaining moments of the half as Manucho strikes an effort from outside the box, but it just moves wide of the post. What a poor, poor half from Sevilla. They will have to raise it in the second period.
Sevilla 0-2 Real Valladolid
So there we have it. The natives express their displeasure as their side trudge off the pitch at 2-0 down. It has been a very poor showing from Sevilla in the opening 45 minutes of football.
They found themselves 1-0 down inside two minutes when Ebert finished from inside the box and it was 2-0 after 12 minutes when Oscar converted from close range. Sevilla have dominated possession since then, but have failed to really test Hernandez.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. The home side have dominated the possession with 63%, but they have managed just five attempts to the away side's eight. That said, they could have been level but for some horror finishing from Medel.
As it stands Valladolid would move into seventh spot in the table. Just four points shy of fourth position. Meanwhile, Sevilla would remain in 11th. But you do get the feeling that there are more goals in this match and a singular strike either way could ultimately decide the result.
Here we go then. Valladolid kick us off in the second period. No changes for either side at the interval. Sevilla really need their supporters to stay with them in the early stages of this half. Now more than ever.
As expected Sevilla start the second period on the front foot with control of the possession. But Valladolid continue to sit in and absorb the danger. Reyes has an effort from distance, but it was never close to harming the goalkeeper.
GOAL! Sevilla 1-2 Real Valladolid (Manucho OG)
Sevilla do indeed get back into the match as Manucho turns a Navas corner into his own net. Hernandez bellows at his defenders, but that has certainly changed the feeling around this stadium.
Meanwhile, the home side make another change as Maduro is replaced by Geoffrey Kondogbia. Sevilla are certainly having a go at this now. The goal has affected Valladolid and suddenly they do not look quite so composed.
It is all one-way traffic at the moment with Diawara and Navas both trying their luck from distance, but the away side's defence stands strong to clear the danger. You just get the feeling that they need to come out and attack or they will be in for a long, long second period.
Bit of a horror few moments from Manucho as he dives into the back of Medel and gains a yellow card for his troubles. That is certainly what you call a striker challenge. Meanwhile, Sevilla continue to dictate the tempo of the match.
It's really bright feet from Navas as he turns the full-back before dancing his way into the penalty area, but his final strike is poor and straight at Hernandez. Reyes has a similar effort moments later, but once more the final attempt is poor.
Valladolid remain quite happy to keep a deep line and hit Sevilla on the counter attack. But it is putting huge strain on their defence and you have to think that the home side will continue to create chances. Manucho's two involvements in the second period have been an own goal and a yellow card.
The noise in the stadium has just lifted in the last few minutes as Sevilla continue to pass and probe around the edge of the Valladolid box. But it is too samey samey from Reyes and Navas as they continue to cut inside at every opportunity. Meanwhile, they obviously are missing the physical presence of Negredo.
Not a great deal to report in terms of chances in the past few moments. Sevilla continue to dominate the possession, but Diawara remains an isolated figure with those around him attempting to shoot from distance with every opportunity. It is playing into Valladolid's hands.
RED CARD: GARY MEDEL: (Sevilla) The home side are reduced to 10 men as Medel barges into the back of Manucho and gains a second yellow card for his troubles. His manager makes no eye contact as the midfielder comes off the pitch. What a poor decision from the Chilean.
The resulting free kick brings a half-chance for Ebert as he strikes towards goal, but Lopez pushes it wide for a corner. The resulting set piece is also delivered by Ebert, but this time Navarro is on hand to clear the danger.
Again Reyes is involved for Sevilla as he meets a bouncing ball on the edge of the penalty area, but his effort is wide of the target. I think I have said that one or two times this evening. Maybe he will now score a worldie in the last minute. Little over 20 minutes remaining at the Estadio Ramon.
Not a great deal to report in terms of chances for either side at the moment. Valladolid have certainly enjoyed more of the possession since the red card for Medel, but they are way of committing to many players forward. The onus is certainly on Sevilla.
CHANCE! Good opportunity for the home side as Navas finds Reyes on the edge of the penalty area, but his powerful effort is pushed wide by Fernandez. The ball bounces back into the danger zone, but Ebert hooks clear.
Another change for the away side as Rubio is replaced by Sastre. The substitution immediately sparks Valladolid into life as Manucho meets a long pass from Omar, but the former Manchester United striker is crowded out at the vital moment and the danger is cleared. Little over 15 minutes of normal time remaining.
CHANCE! Oh my word. Glorious chance for the away side to secure the three points as Omar finds Ebert in the penalty area, but somehow he fires his effort wide of the post from close range. That was the game there and then. Incredible miss.
A positive for Sevilla is that they have gained support from the crowd in this second period. The supporters turned on them at the break, rightly or wrongly, but there is now more noise in the stadium. Meanwhile, another change for the home side as Alex Rubio replaces Perotti.
CHANCE! Kondogbia comes within a whisker of levelling the match as he meets a Reyes cross inside the penalty area, but somehow he loops his header wide of the post. You cannot say that they haven't had chances. Is there another goal left in this one?
Change for the away side as Rueda is replaced by Carlos Pena. Meanwhile, it appears that Alberto Bueno will also soon join the action. Sevilla have a half-chance moments after the change, but Diawara can only turn wide from close range.
It's really poor from Manucho as he collects a pass from Ebert inside the Sevilla penalty area, but he is easily dispossessed. Meanwhile, Valladolid do indeed make the change as Bueno replaces Omar for the final five minutes or so.
Big chance for the home side as Reyes is clipped by Perez on the edge of the penalty area. The free kick is taken by Reyes, but his effort is deflected over the crossbar by Valiente. The corner is whipped in by the Spaniard once more, but Hernandez punches clear.
Sevilla continue to force the issue with a series of high balls into the penalty area, but Manucho helps his side out with a powerful header to clear the danger. Little under a minute of normal time remaining. But how much will be added?
The fourth official indicates an additional four minutes at the end of the half. Valladolid have been the better side in the last couple of minutes, but you just get the feeling that there will be one last big chance.
Valladolid keep possession of the ball much to the frustration of Sevilla. Meanwhile, in winning back the ball the home side give away a couple of free kicks in quick succession. Little over two minutes remaining.
Sevilla continue to search for that equaliser as they pump long balls into the Valladolid box, but the danger is cleared on each occasion. It almost appears that the home side have run out of ideas. Bar a late miracle, this one is over.
Sevilla 1-2 Real Valladolid
Valladolid’s early showing secures the points as they beat 10-man Sevilla 2-1 at the Estadio Ramon. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and join us for Champions League football tomorrow. Until then!
