Sevilla sweep past Osasuna to keep pace at top

Sevilla have now won their last nine home league encounters against Osasuna, after they emerged from a tricky fixture unscathed, winning 2-0 at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.

Osasuna would have been in a confident mood after holding Real Madrid to a goalless draw in midweek at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, but they were fortunate to not go behind in the 17th minute. Joan Jordán whipped in a delightful ball, but Rafa Mir failed to head home, sending the ball wide. 

ASevilla have won all of their previous four home league matches this term, and in the 40th minute, Diego Carlos sent them on their way to a fifth home win, when he rose highest in the box to head home Ivan Rakitić’s corner kick.

‘Los Rojillos’ started the second half with purpose, but they were struggling to penetrate a Sevilla defence that has only conceded seven goals in La Liga this season. The visitors’ hopes of collecting something from the contest evaporated in the 60th minute. 

A long ball over the top from Bono led to a misunderstanding between Juan Pérez and Jesús Areso, which allowed Lucas Ocampos to steal the ball before placing the ball into the empty net.

With Osasuna searching for a goal, Sevilla tried to exploit gaps in the away side’s defence, with Ocampos seeing his fierce strike saved by Pérez in the 83rd minute, before the goalkeeper comfortably stopped Erik Lamela’s tame effort.

The victory ensures Sevilla win their opening five home league games for the first time since the 2016/17 season and the three points helps to restore parity at the top of La Liga, with Julen Lopetegui’s side now level on 24 points with Real Madrid and Real Sociedad. Meanwhile, for Osasuna, their unbeaten five-game run comes to a disappointing end.