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La Liga
Mar 15, 2015 at 6pm UK
 
Elche

3-0

Bacca (18' pen., 31'), Gameiro (81')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Live Commentary: Sevilla 3-0 Elche - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live commentary of the La Liga clash between Sevilla and Elche at the Estadio Ramon.
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Sevilla welcomed Elche to the Estadio Ramon in La Liga on Sunday looking to keep their top-four hopes alive.

A first-half double from Carlos Bacca left the hosts with a comfortable lead at the interval.

Elche improved in the second period, but Sevilla added gloss to the scoreline late on through Kevin Gameiro.

Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.


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Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga commentary continues from the Estadio Ramon as Sevilla welcome Elche. The hosts still have their sights set on the top four, while Elche are still very much involved at the wrong end of the table. Let's hope for a cracker from Seville here!

First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.

TEAMS

SEVILLA: Rico; Coke, Pareja, Kolo, Tremoulinas; Krychowiak, Iborra; Suarez, Banega, Reyes; Bacca

ELCHE: Tyton; Damian, Roco, Lomban, Cisma; Angel, Pasalic; Coro, Fajr, Victor; Jonathas


So there we have it. As expected, Sevilla boss Unai Emery has rung the changes this evening, with the likes of Coke, Denis Suarez, Ever Banega, Jose Antonio Reyes and Carlos Bacca all coming into the XI. Benoit Tremoulinas keeps his place at left-back, while in-form Vicente Iborra starts in midfield.

Elche, meanwhile, line up as expected in Seville. Leading scorer Jonathas will once again act as the focal point in attack, while there are also spots in the XI for Victor Rodriguez and Coro. On-loan Chelsea midfielder Mario Pasalic also starts in midfield in what seems to be a 4-2-3-1 formation.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Sevilla have won three of the last five, with the further two fixtures ending in draws. Earlier this season, Sevilla won 2-0 in the reverse match, while Emery's side also recorded a 3-1 victory in the corresponding clash last season. That said, these two sides have met just once in this stadium since 2001. Can Elche cause a shock this evening?

Sevilla have never lost against Elche on home soil in the league – winning 12 of the 17 meetings in Seville. Emery's side are also unbeaten in 21 home league games and have gone over a year in all competitions since losing in this particular stadium. As it stands, they sit sixth in the La Liga table on 49 points – seven behind fourth-place Atletico Madrid, who have played one game more.

Villarreal moved into fifth earlier this afternoon with a 0-0 draw at Almeria, but victory for Sevilla here would see the Europa League holders regain that spot in the table. The hosts have won their last two matches in all competitions – beating Deportivo La Coruna in the league last weekend, before recording a 3-1 win at Villarreal in the first leg of their last-16 Europa League clash on Thursday.

Elche, meanwhile, will enter the match having won three of their last five in the league. In fact, their only defeat during that run came against Real Madrid. As a result, a total of 27 points has left them in 15th position in the table, but they are just two points clear of the relegation zone as the race to remain in the division continues to hot up. Cordoba are the only team being cut adrift.

Elche have also only lost just one of their last four away league matches, while a tally of 12 points from 14 games on the road is far from the worst in the division. They have struggled on their own patch, however, with only Cordoba and Almeria boasting a worse home record at this stage of the season.

PREDICTION! In truth, I think this will be pretty straight-forward for the home side, who are in excellent form. Their players should be fresh following a number of changes and I am struggling to see where the goals are coming from in this Elche team. My score prediction is 2-0 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 home side get the first 45 minutes underway.

As expected, the home side have started on the front foot, with Iborra and Krychowiak already bossing possession in the middle of the park. Elche will have to spend long periods of this match without the ball and hope that Jonathas can fashion something in attack. It should be an entertaining affair.

Tremoulinas, who was very good against Villarreal on Thursday, has started this match full of purpose as he drives down the left before delivering into the Elche box, but Lomban is on hand to clear. The visitors break down the other end moments later and force a free kick when Pareja fells Jonathas.

Elche are just working their way into the match at the moment as Jonathas wins another free kick in a forward area. You feel that the away side will have to make use of their set pieces this evening.

Victor Rodriguez delivers the resulting free kick, but it is straight into the arms of Sergio Rico.

Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about in terms of opportunities in the opening nine minutes, with Sevilla struggling to find that final pass in the final third. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital. Confident start from Elche here.

Coke continues to break forward for Sevilla, but the full-back has been caught offside twice in quick succession, with Elche holding a high line. Jonathas remains the away side's main outlet in attack.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening 13 minutes, but the game has been pretty even in general play. The home supporters are in fine voice - which has been the case all season.

We have not seen too much from Bacca in the opening 15 minutes, with the Colombian feeding off scraps in the final third. In truth, there is more happening in the stands than on the field at the moment. It has been quite laboured, with both sides struggling to find that final pass in attack.

Half-chance for the home side as Tremoulinas delivers a dangerous cross towards his opposite full-back Coke, but the Spaniard's header was always rising high of the crossbar. Might have done better.

PENALTY SEVILLA!

Sevilla are awarded a penalty as Reyes goes down inside the box under a challenge from Coro. It might have been a little harsh, but there was contact between both players. Chance here...

GOAL! Sevilla 1-0 Elche (Bacca, pen)

Bacca makes no mistake as he flashes his effort into the bottom corner. It is a little harsh on Elche, who started the match pretty well, but that is football at the highest level. Sevilla on their way here.

As it stands, Sevilla would be only four points off fourth-place Atletico Madrid on the same number of games. Could the Spanish champions miss out on the top four? It would be quite unthinkable!

CHANCE! Another chance for the home side as Suarez collects a long ball before settling inside the Elche box, but Lomban is across to make a fine challenge at the vital moment. Tremoulinas picks up the pieces moments later, but Tyton makes a smart save at the near post.

Bacca has another sight of goal inside the box, but his snap effort is just wide of the post.

Elche could do with a period of possession as Sevilla continue to force the issue in the final third. When Emery's side are in this sort of form, few teams can stop them. It is a high-tempo contest now.

CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Tremoulinas floats a wonderful cross towards Suarez, who rises and makes contact, but his header drops high of the crossbar.

Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following some late challenges. Elche still have plenty of fight about them, no doubt about that.

Elche continue to press in the final third, but it is leaving all sorts of space for Sevilla to counter and the home side do not need to be asked twice to break with numbers. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Elche really need to find an equaliser here.

GOAL! Sevilla 2-0 Elche (Bacca)

Sevilla double their lead with 31 minutes on the clock as Bacca heads a beautiful Coke cross into the back of the net from close range. It was a super pass from Banega in the build-up and Sevilla are well on their way to all three points. Bacca is all about goals and he already has two this evening.

BOOKING! Krychowiak (Sevilla) is booked for a poor challenge on Coro.

CHANCE! Coro almost answers back for the visitors after meeting a rising ball just outside the box, but Rico is on hand to make the save. Elche are still pressing forward with intent here.

Sevilla have not played particularly well this evening, but they are 2-0 ahead and that is the story of their season at the moment. They seem to be on a roll. Another Sevilla goal might kill this game.

BOOKING! Angel (Elche) is booked for a poor challenge on Iborra.

Banega has had a super first period for Sevilla, with the Argentine afforded too much space in the middle of the park on far too many occasions from Elche's point of view. The away side remain a threat in the final third with the guile of Jonathas, but you have to think that Sevilla will score again here.

Little under five minutes of the first period remaining and Elche are just struggling to keep hold of the possession. Three wins from their last five games has moved them out of the relegation zone, but it does appear that they will leave Seville without anything. Unless there is some second-half display.

Fajr has the chance to deliver a deep free kick for Elche, but Pasalic heads high of the crossbar. Sevilla goalkeeper Rico has had a fairly comfortable first 43 minutes here it must be said.

I should not think that there will be too much added time at the end of this half.

CLOSE! Elche come close to scoring moments before the break as Fajr smashes a cross towards the near post, but Rico manages to make a super save. What an important moment!

HALF-TIME: Sevilla 2-0 Elche

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Sevilla leading 2-0 courtesy of a double from Carlos Bacca. The striker's first came from the penalty spot, before he headed home from close range to make it 2-0. Elche have had their moments, but are staring defeat in the face here.

STATS! Sevilla have shaded the possession with 60%, while they have had six attempts - two of which have been on target. Elche, meanwhile, have only hit the target with one of their three attempts. There have also been three bookings in a first half that has certainly been quite feisty.

BENCH WATCH! Should Sevilla boss Emery wish to alter proceedings in the second period then he has plenty of options, with the likes of Aspas, Deulofeu, Gameiro and Vidal all capable of making a difference. Elche boss Segura, meanwhile, has options in the shape of Herrera, Samu and Mosquera.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Elche find a route back into this match? It is going to be tough. The visitors resume the action in this La Liga affair.

Neither manager has looked to their bench at the break, which is not that surprising. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 2-0 for the next 20, 25 minutes here.

Decent start to the second period from Elche, as bright work from Jonathas forces a corner. The resulting set piece is played short and eventually headed wide of the post by Roco. Decent chance.

Really good pressure from Elche at the start of the second period, as another corner from the left causes concern inside the box. Victor Rodriguez picks up the pieces outside the box before striking towards the top corner, but his effort was always rising high of the crossbar. All Elche right now.

CHANCE! Another chance for the away side as Suarez does excellently to beat two defenders before sliding a pass into Rodriguez, but the midfielder's low effort is saved by Rico. All Elche!

CHANCE! Incredible opportunity for the home side to score a third as Suarez bursts into the box before attempting to flash one into the bottom corner, but Tyton is across to make a super save!

BOOKING! Xisma (Elche) is booked for a strong challenge on Coke.

Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and still Sevilla lead 2-0, but it has been a spirited performance from the visitors, who will feel that there is still something in this match for them.

Elche rely heavily on Jonathas for goals and that is the problem at the moment, with Sevilla closely marking the Brazilian in the final third. Sevilla have just started to force the issue down the other end with a couple of corners in quick succession. A third goal for the home side surely wins it.

Jonathas fires high and wide of the crossbar following a quick counter from the visitors.

SUB! Elche make their first change as Rodrigues replaces Coro.

Another half-chance for the away side as Suarez delivers a super cross towards the head of Jonathas, but the big striker cannot make contact under pressure from Pareja. Can Elche force a goal here?

Rodrigues's pace is causing Sevilla all sorts of problems at the moment, with the midfielder driving past two defenders and into the box, but Pareja comes across to make a vital challenge. There is no question that the visitors have been the better team in the second half, but Sevilla still lead 2-0.

SUB! Sevilla make their first change as Vidal replaces Reyes.

Another half-chance for Elche as Rodrigues meets a deep cross from Angel, but his header is over the crossbar. It appears that the visitors are preparing to introduce another striker here...

... SUB! Indeed the change is made as Herrera replaces Pasalic.

It is pretty much a front four for Elche now. Anyone for goals in the final 20 minutes?

Elche are having so much of the game at the moment as they continue to deliver from wide areas, but Sevilla are nice and tight at the back. It has been one-way traffic since the interval here.

Another half-chance for the away side as Rodrigues finds space down the right before attempting to curl one into the top corner, but his effort is deflected for yet another corner. Sevilla, meanwhile, are preparing to make another change, with Gameiro ready to enter. I suspect it will be for Bacca.

SUB! Sevilla do indeed make the expected change as Gameiro replaces Bacca.

Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of minutes, but Sevilla have just managed to stem the flow of pressure with a period of possession. The home side still lead 2-0.

You just get the feeling that Elche needed to score during that strong spell at the start of the second period. They still have a slight chance here, but it is a big ask as the clock continues to tick on.

Not the most convincing goalkeeping from Rico, but the Sevilla stopper manages to deny Fajr from outside the box as the home side keep their clean sheet in tact. Little over 10 minutes to play here.

SUB! Sevilla make their third change as Mbia replaces Iborra.

BOOKING! Banega (Sevilla) is booked for a poor challenge on Fajr.

Suarez attempts to score a third for the home side after finding space down the left, but his effort was always rising high of the crossbar. Fairly comfortable for Sevilla at this stage of proceedings.

GOAL! Sevilla 3-0 Elche (Gameiro)

Game, set and match. Sevilla have their third of the evening as Banega slides a super pass into Gameiro, who finishes into the top corner. Excellent football from the hosts once again!

Elche have played pretty well this evening, but they have come up against a Sevilla team that are on a sensational run of form in this stadium. Little over five minutes remaining and the hosts lead 3-0.

SUB! Victor Rodriguez attempts to bend one into the bottom corner from just outside the box, but his effort is wide of the post. That proves his final piece of action as Alvaro enters.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with Sevilla more than happy to keep possession in their own half. It has been another strong and composed display from the hosts.

The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes in Seville.

Sevilla go in search of a fourth down the left, but Suarez is crowded out at the vital moment. Eventually the ball is worked into Gameiro, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.

FULL-TIME: Sevilla 3-0 Elche

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Sevilla running out 3-0 winners courtesy of goals from Bacca (2) and Gameiro. The hosts are now just four points behind fourth-place Atletico Madrid. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!

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Sevilla's midfielder Vitolo celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match RC Deportivo de la Coruna on March 7, 2015
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