Real Zaragoza travelled to the Estadio Ramon on Sunday knowing that three points would have moved them away from relegation trouble.
It was Sevilla that opened the scoring in the first period when Coke bundled home from close range, with that score still standing at the interval.
Coke was at it again after 52 minutes when he struck an effort into the top corner, before goals from Jose Antonio Reyes and Alvaro Negredo wrapped up the points late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! The first of our three back-to-back live commentaries in La Liga comes from the Estadio Ramon as Sevilla welcome Real Zaragoza. The home side have won two of their last four in the league, but a fairly disappointing season to date sees them languish in the bottom half. Zaragoza have problems of their own, however, as they face a fight to remain in the division.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Sevilla have won three of the last five matches, with Zaragoza winning once and the other ending in a draw. The two teams have also met in the Copa del Rey this season, with Sevilla emerging 4-0 winners from the two-legged affair.
Sevilla currently sit in 11th position in the table, which is a disappointment for a team that was expected to challenge for the top four. They have shown glimpses of their best form this season, but it has not been on a consistent basis. That said, a decent run from now until the end of the campaign would ensure that they finish in the top half.
Sevilla have been strong on their own patch this season with nine wins from their 13 matches, losing just three times. That is in contrast to their away form, which is among the worst in the division. Surprisingly, Zaragoza have won four times on the road this season, which is one more than they have managed on their own patch.
TEAMS:
SEVILLA: Palop; Navarro, Fazio, Coke, Moreno; Reyes, Rakitic, Medel, Kondogbia, Navas; Negredo
ZARAGOZA: Franco; Sapunaru, Loovens, Abraham, Alvaro; Pinter, Babovic, Montanes, Mari; Postiga, Victor
So there we have it. Unai Emery recalls Jose Antonio Reyes to his starting side in place of Manu del Moral, who drops to the bench. Federico Fazio is also fit, with the Argentine starting in central defence alongside Navarro. Zaragoza, meanwhile, name Victor Rodriguez and Helder Postiga in attack, but there is no starting spot for Ruben Rochina.
Zaragoza are currently on the poorest run of form in the league. They have taken just three points from their last six matches, which has left them languishing in 17th position. However, they are currently outside of the bottom three, which will give them reason to be hopeful. Three points this afternoon would go a long way to aiding their survival chances.
It is not difficult to see where Zaragoza have struggled this season. They have hit the back of the net just 25 times, which is the second-worst record in the division. They have fared better down the other end conceding just 38 goals in their 27 matches. Sevilla, meanwhile, have conceded 40 goals thus far, but have scored 39, with just four teams scoring more.
Right, just about time for my pre-match prediction. I just cannot see any possible way how Sevilla do not win this football match. I am trying to make a case for Zaragoza, but they are in such bad form. Sevilla rarely lose at the Estadio Ramon, there I am backing a comfortable home win this afternoon.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Just a reminder of the main team news this afternoon. Reyes comes back into the Sevilla team at the expensive of Manu, while Alvaro Negredo starts in attack. Zaragoza, meanwhile, leave Ruben Rochina and Movilla on the sidelines, with Jose Mari starting on the left.
Today's referee is Alejandro Hernandez. Let's hope that we can keep all 22 players on the pitch this afternoon with a influx of red cards in La Liga this season. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Osasuna against Atletico Madrid. Right, the home side get the action underway.
Not a full house inside the stadium by any stretch of the imagination, but there is a good atmosphere in the early stages. Confident start from Sevilla as Jesus Navas collects possession before driving down the left, but his cross is blocked by Abraham. It is important that Zaragoza quell some of the early pressure.
The home side continue to dominate the ball in the early stages with Kondogbia, Medel and Rakitic all enjoying plenty of the ball. The latter attempts to force it with a long pass towards Negredo, but it just skids off the wet turf, allowing Franco to come and collect. Nothing much from Zaragoza inside the opening four minutes.
First half-chance for the away side as Jose Mari is felled outside the penalty area by Medel. The resulting free kick is whipped into the box by Postiga, but Fazio rises highest to clear the danger. What a waste from Zaragoza. You just get the feeling that they need to make use of the little chances that they get this afternoon.
Medel tries his luck from distance as he picks up possession outside the box before striking towards the top corner, but Franco was always comfortable in claiming. Kondogbia leads the charge moments later before squaring to Navas, but the Spaniard's cross is out of play. Confident start from Sevilla, but no real chances thus far.
Another chance for Zaragoza to whip a free kick into the penalty area arrives as Reyes fells Postiga, but once more Victor's cross is not up to the required standard. The ball is worked wide once more towards Babovic, but his cross is claimed by Palop. Better from Zaragoza, but no real potency in their attack.
Real chance on the counter for Negredo as the Spaniard drives into the Zaragoza half with Reyes and Navas either side, but he decides to go alone, with Loovens stepping out to clear the danger. What an opportunity to create a shooting opportunity. Nice tempo to the match at the moment as the play continues to follow from end-to-end.
Another half-chance for the home side as Negredo slips a low pass behind the Zaragoza defence, Reyes is first to make the move, but the linesman raises his flag. Negredo is involved moments later as he finds the head of Kondogbia in the box, but Abraham is across to make a wonderful block. Sevilla have just started to take control of the possession.
Slightly scrappy period of the match in the last few moments with both sides guilty of a host of fouls in the opposing half. Once more Zaragoza gain a set piece just outside the penalty area, but Babovic's delivery is punched clear by Palop, before the Sevilla goalkeeper claims a cross from Pinter moments later.
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The bitty period of the match continues as Reyes is chopped down by Babovic, who gains a yellow card for his troubles. The Sevilla free kick is taken by Rakitic, but Franco is across to make a good save. The resulting corner is whipped into the box by Reyes, but Abraham heads clear. Plenty happening at the Estadio Ramon with 18 minutes on the clock.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with Sevilla comfortable in control of the possession. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could shape this match. You would fancy Sevilla if they scored the opener, but Zaragoza have offered enough to suggest that they can cause some problems. Good tempo to this match with 21 minutes of football played.
Navas remains the main outlet for Sevilla as he collects possession on the right before driving inside the box, but his run is blocked by the huge frame of Loovens. Reyes tries his luck down the other wide moments later, but once more the cross is cleared, albeit behind his own crossbar by Pinter.
There is a sense of underlying ill-feeling in this match as the challenges continue to fly in from both sides. However, for once, Medel has not been involved. Just about 20 minutes of the first period remaining and we are still waiting for out first real chance. If it were a boxing match, then Sevilla would be shading it on points.
Just a reminder that three points for Sevilla would move them into the top half of the table, while Zaragoza would remain in 17th position should they suffer defeat. The tempo has just been interrupted in the last few moments as the challenges continue to fly in. Loovens appears to have got away with one there as he dives dangerously into Rakitic, who is in some serious discomfort.
Half-chance for the away side as Mari fires a searching cross into the penalty area, but Palop is on hand to claim under pressure from Postiga. You just worry where the goals are going to come from for the away side. Whereas you look at the Sevilla side, with the attacking threat of Negredo and Navas - although the latter has scored just one league goal this season.
GOAL! Sevilla 1-0 Zaragoza (Coke)
Finally Sevilla open the scoring as Coke collects a loose ball in the penalty area before turning his effort into the back of the net. It is a really smart finish from the defender. The home side lead with just about 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
You cannot say that it had been coming, but Sevilla have looked the better side in the final third. Zaragoza attempt to launch an immediate response as Victor combines with Postiga before striking towards goal, but it was always moving wide of the target. Zaragoza just need to settle in the next five or so minutes.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to add their second as Navas bursts through on goal, but he can only turn his effort wide of the post. That was the opportunity to arguably tie this match up before the interval. Zaragoza are just struggling to keep possession as the pressure builds.
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RED CARD! The away side are reduced to 10 men as Stefan Babovic is dismissed for a second bookable offence. It was sloppy from the Serbian, who dived into a challenge with Reyes. Well, Zaragoza's task has become much harder.
Simply all one-way traffic at the moment as the home side continue to flood forward with numbers. Good work from Reyes forces a corner, but Kondogbia can only head over the crossbar from close range. Suddenly the supporters have found their voices and everything seems to be going right.
Half-chance for the away side as Pinter strikes an effort from distance, but it was always moving wide of the post. Zaragoza did the hard work in the early stages of this half and had indeed settled the crowd. However, the loss of a goal and a man has made their task so much harder. They really cannot afford to concede another goal before the half-time interval.
Good possession from Sevilla in the last couple of moments with the likes of Medel and Kondogbia prepared to keep hold of the ball in midfield. Finally the latter forces the issue with a searching pass towards Negredo, but the tall striker can only turn his cross into the arms of Franco. Meanwhile, Postiga appears to have a problem as he clashes with Fazio.
Not too sure there was a lot in that Postiga incident, with the Portuguese sliding into the back of Fazio before holding his face. Another half-chance comes to the home side as Reyes fires a dangerous cross into the box, but there are not takers. Kondogbia tries his luck from distance moments later, but his effort is straight into the arms of Franco.
Just about one minute remaining in the first period, with the home side leading following that strike from Koke. Good pressure from Zaragoza in the last couple of minutes, but you do worry where the goals are coming from. It is so important that the away side do not concede another in the remaining moments of the first period.
Not too much to report in the latter stages of the half with Sevilla comfortable in possession of the ball. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play one minute of stoppage time at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Sevilla 1-0 Real Zaragoza
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Sevilla leading courtesy of a strike from Koke. Zaragoza's task has been made harder following the dismissal of Babovic for two yellow cards. There is work to do for the away side in the second period.
STATISTICS: Sevilla have dominated the possession with 67%, while they have had six attempts to Zaragoza's one. That attempt from the away side as off target, which is an indication of their threat in the first period. It is difficult to see anything other than a home win this afternoon, especially from this situation.
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BENCH WATCH: Sevilla have attacking options on the bench in the shape of Manu del Moral and Diawara, while Javi Hervas is also in the squad. Zaragoza's attacking options are more limited, but they do have Ruben Rochina on the bench, who is currently on loan from Blackburn Rovers.
As it stands, Sevilla would move into 10th position in the table, while Zaragoza would remain in 17th, just two places above the relegation zone. It really could not be closer at the foot of the table with six teams in the mix for the drop. Right, the second period is just moments away.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. No changes for either side at the interval which is perhaps not too surprising at this stage of events. You just get the feeling that the next goal could shape this match. The away side get the half underway.
Confident start to the second period from the away side as Mari whips a dangerous cross into the box, but Moreno is on hand to turn behind his own crossbar. The resulting corner is whipped into the area by Montanes, but the referee blows for a free kick to the home side. A goal at this stage would completely change the feel of the match.
Another half-chance comes to Zaragoza as Navas, who picks up a yellow card for his troubles, fells Victor. The Zaragoza attacker steps up to strike his effort towards goal, but it just moved high of the crossbar. Sevilla break down the other end with Reyes, but the Spaniard just cannot find the run of Navas in the opposing penalty area.
Decent pressure from the home side in the last couple of moments with Navas and Reyes both whipping crosses into the penalty area, but Negredo just cannot make contact. Moments later, Negredo does indeed have the ball in the back of the net following a Navas cross, but the linesman raises his flag. It looked tight from the replay.
GOAL! Sevilla 2-0 Zaragoza (Coke)
Sevilla have their second of the match as Coke collects possession outside the penalty area before striking a powerful effort into the top corner for his second of the afternoon. Is that game over? Or can Zaragoza respond?
CHANCE! Again Sevilla break with pace as Reyes finds Navas on the left, the Spaniard fires a low cross towards Negredo, but the striker just cannot make contact at the vital moment. That really would have been game over. Zaragoza really need some sort of inspiration here.
CROSSBAR! WOW! The away side come within of whisker of their first as a scramble in the penalty area falls straight to Postiga, but his effort is deflected onto the crossbar before Fazio is on hand to head clear. Some start to this second period as Sevilla advance immediately down the other end.
Sevilla make their first change of the match as Moreno - who had appeared to be carrying a knock - is replaced by Juan Cala. Zaragoza also changes with Ruben Rochina and Bienvenu replacing Postiga and Victor. It is all change at the Estadio Ramon, but is the score beyond Zaragoza?
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments with the home side comfortable in possession of the ball. Zaragoza just have not offered any indication that they are capable of opening their tally in this match. It is not difficult to see why they have struggled. Another half-chance for Sevilla as Reyes strikes from distance, but his effort is over the crossbar.
Just a reminder that following the completion of this match we have action from Osasuna against Atletico Madrid before Barcelona welcome Rayo Vallecano to the Camp Nou. Believe me, you will not want to miss it. Slightly scrappy period of the match once more as the challenges continue to fly in, with Coke the latest to receive treatment following a clash with Pinter.
GOAL! Sevilla 3-0 Zaragoza (Reyes)
Sevilla have their third of the match as Navas finds Reyes in the penalty area, the winger takes one touch before curling his effort into the bottom corner. Stunning counter attack from the home side. Zaragoza would be in for a hiding in the latter stages.
Well, you have to praise Sevilla for their performance this afternoon, but Zaragoza have been just about as poor as you could possibly imagine from a team at this level. I would be astounded if there were not more goals in the latter stages as the space continues to open up for the home side.
Meanwhile, Sevilla make their second change of the match as Medel is replaced by Maduro. It has been another solid, yet unspectacular performance from the latter. He is just the foil needed for the likes of Reyes and Navas. Little under 20 minutes of football remaining at the Estadio Ramon, with Sevilla heading for 10th position in the table.
GOAL! Sevilla 4-0 Zaragoza (Negredo)
Sevilla have their fourth of the match as Reyes squares to Negredo, who simply cannot miss from close range. This is really getting embarrassing for the away side. They are being utterly destroyed by Sevilla at the moment. It could get really nasty in the latter stages.
Zaragoza just cannot get out of their own half at the moment as they struggle to keep possession of the ball. The stadium is absolutely rocking at the moment as the home side go in search of their fifth. In this kind of form, you have to wonder why Sevilla are not challenging for at least the top six this season.
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Half-chance for Zaragoza as Rochina darts into the penalty area before striking towards goal, but Palop gets down well to make the save. Reyes tries his luck from distance down the other end moments later, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining.
Meanwhile, Zaragoza make their third change of the match as Rodri replaces Montanes for the latter stages. Can they force a late consolation? This defeat is going to leave them just two points outside of the relegation zone. Goal difference could yet prove crucial, which explains their willingness to push forward in the remaining minutes.
Sevilla make their third change of the match as Kondogbia is replaced by Manu del Moral for the final 10 minutes or so. Once more Reyes causes problems to the away side as he darts into the penalty area before finding Navas, but his powerful effort moves just wide of the target. The resulting corner is taken by Navas, but Pinter heads clear.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes with Sevilla happy to keep possession of the ball in their own half. Not too much from Zaragoza in the last five minutes or so as they struggle to put two passes together. That said, not many teams get the better of Sevilla at this stadium.
Another half-chance for the home side as Negredo strikes an effort from outside the box, but Loovens is on hand to make the block. It falls kindly for Reyes inside the area, but the Spaniard can only turn wide of the post. It could quite easily have been five and six in the last few moments.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Rochina bursts into the penalty area before flashing a low cross along the edge of the box, but there are no takers as it moves straight out of play for a goal kick. Rodri has a similar effort moments later, but it brings the same outcome. Little over three minutes of football remaining.
Manolo Jimenez is currently in deep conversation with his assistant, but I am not entirely sure what is being discussed with his side 4-0 down with little over a minute of football remaining. Rochina is again involved for the away side as he cuts inside before finding Bienvenu in the box, but Coke is across to make the challenge.
Half-chance for Navas in the latter stages as he collects a pass from Rakitic before striking an effort from close range, but it was always moving over the crossbar. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes of added time and we are indeed into the second of those.
FULL-TIME: Sevilla 4-0 Real Zaragoza
So there we have it. Sevilla score three times in the second period to record a 4-0 win over Real Zaragoza. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Osasuna against Atletico Madrid. Until then!
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