Sevilla hosted Villarreal at the Sanchez Pizjuan and claimed all three points with a 4-2 victory in La Liga action.
In a breathless game that always seemed to have another goal around the corner, the home side blew open the race for fourth position with a victory against the team directly above them in the table.
The home side would open the scoring through Vicente Iborra in a goal made by the pace and foresight of Kevin Gameiro. Benoit Tremoulinas played through the Frenchman who, when one on one with Areola, would square the ball to an unmarked Iborra to tap home.
Villarreal would reply eight minutes later through Cedric Bakambu. A cross from Antonio Rukavina fortunately fell to the Congolese forward who finished with aplomb from inside the box.
In very quick succession Bakambu had his second. Adrian Lopez, shaping to shoot, chipped the ball over the Sevilla backline and his strike partner would fire home with his first touch to give Villarreal a 2-1 lead going into the break.
Five minutes into the second half and the scores were level again. Gameiro to Konoplyanka who played the ball into the box looking for the Frenchman. Victor Ruiz would get a foot in ahead of the Sevilla forward but was only able to turn the ball into his own net.
On 65 minutes, the home side took the lead thanks to one for the highlight reel from Konoplyanka. The Ukrainian cut inside Tomas Pina and from 35 yards unleashed an unstoppable shot that had Areola beaten off the boot.
With ten minutes remaining, Ever Banega would see himself ejected from the match after picking up his second yellow card for an unnecessary challenge on Mario.
With Villarreal pushing everyone forward it was the home side who would score a fourth to wrap up the three points. A lost ball by the visitors was seized upon and Gameiro would beat Bonera for pace. His shot was saved by Areola but the deflection fell kindly for Jose Antonio Reyes who put his side just five points behind Villarreal in the overall standing.
Sevilla
Sergio Rico – 7: Came into his own in the second half when called on repeatedly
Benoit Tremoulinas – 5: Had troubles with both Rukavina and Suarez
Daniel Carrico – 5.5: Beaten for pace far too many times by Bakambu
Adil Rami – 6.5: A goal saving challenge capped an above average match for the Frenchman
Mariano – 4: The most underwhelming player for the home side. Struggled to deal with any attacks down his side
Stephen N’Zonzi – N/A: Only lasted 17 minutes until being withdrawn
Vicente Iborra – 7: A goal to his name and an aerial threat throughout the match
Yevhen Konoplyanka – 8.5: A goal and an assist for the own goal capped off a wonderful performance from the left side
Ever Banega – 6.5: A decent game in the number 10 role but his late sending off blighted his day
Michael Krohn-Deli – 6.5: Solid, if unspectacular
Kevin Gameiro – 9.5: A Simply sparkling display of pace, power and perfect centre forward play
Substitutes
Sebastian Cristoforo – 7: Dictated play and broke up Villarreal counter attacks
Jose Antonio Reyes – 5: Very rarely involved outside of his late goal
Sergio Escudero – N/A: Did little in his short cameo
Villarreal
Alphonse Areola – 5: Could do little for any of the goals
Eric Bailly – 4: Ineffective in defence and subbed at half time
Victor Ruiz – 4.5: Beaten to everything by Gameiro but looked the better of the two centre halves
Daniele Bonera – 3.5: Poor performance from the veteran Italian
Mario Gaspar – 5: Good going forward, struggled in defence. Lost his battle with Konoplyanka
Antonio Rukavina – 6.5: A standout performance on both the right wing and then at left back
Bruno Soriano – 6: A steady performance by the captain
Tomas Pina – 5.5: Broke up play well but his inability to get forward was a detriment to his team
Denis Suarez – 7: Villarreal’s best who looked a threat every time he got on the ball
Adrian Lopez – 5: Did not excite but did have a direct hand in his team’s second goal
Cedric Bakambu – 7: Two goals but should have had a hat trick. Did little other than score.
Substitutes
Samu Castillejo – 4.5: A full half to impress but left no impression
Leo Baptistao – 4: Barely touched the ball after coming on with twenty minutes remaining
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