Riera gatecrashes Sevilla's party at the Sanchez-Pizjuan

Llorente's aerial dominance

All eyes were on the Spanish striker in the absence of the injured Kevin Gameiro and he gave a good account of himself in the early stages of the game. Fernando Llorente won every aerial ball he challenged for and set up Vicente Iborra for the game's opening goal. The Spain international climbed well to beat the Deportivo defence and set up Iborra, who headed home to give his team a first-half lead. 

A dangerous double act

Llorente and Iborra's link-up play caused the Deportivo defence no end of problems whilst their height saw them dominate aerial proceedings. They combined well for their team's only goal of the game and it came as no surprise when they both received a standing ovation when they were substituted midway through the second half.

 | 1-0 | Iborra's goal means @SevillaFC_ENG have scored in 16 consecutive home games. #SFCvRCD #LaLigaStats pic.twitter.com/LXt4qLPmXR

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) April 17, 2016

Deportivo's reaction

Deportivo upped their game after the break. Victor Sanchez del Amo's team improved and the game became a more evenly-matched affair. However, he also had to contend with Luis Alberto limping off, and being replaced by Oriol Riera, early in the second half. Despite losing the midfielder, the visitors carved out a clear chance to level the game but Sergio Rico saved well to keep Lucas Perez's effort out.

Riera salvages a point

The Galicians pushed forward as the clock ticked down and Sevilla retreated into their own half. Deportivo became the more threatening of the two teams and were finally rewarded with a goal. Lucas Perez's sublime, pinpoint pass into the area left Riera little to do but poke the ball past Sergio Rico and level the game just minutes before the final whistle. The result leaves Sevilla four points off sixth place and sees Deportivo climb nine points clear of the relegation zone.

Oriol Riera: "The goal takes us another step closer towards saving ourselves." #SFCvRCD pic.twitter.com/yM3eN8YfRQ

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) April 17, 2016

Another home setback for Sevilla

Sevilla slipped up again at home, having lost to Real Sociedad 2-1 in their last game at the Sanchez-Pizjuan, a defeat that ended Unai Emery's team's impressive run of 13 straight Liga BBVA home wins. Despite the draw, the Andalusians have now taken 40 points from a possible 49 at home this season and are the league's third-best home side behind Barcelona and Real Madrid.