Sevilla win a thrilling game that allows them to dream of fourth place

Gameiro's importance to the team
It was a thrilling game in Seville from kick-off. The two teams knew of its importance in the battle to secure a place in next season's UEFA Champions League and both went out for the win. There were early chances for both sides, but Frenchman Kevin Gameiro's movement and presence were the difference as Sevilla broke the deadlock. Following an impressive solo move, the striker found himself one on one with Alphonse Areola, but just as he looked ready to shoot, he laid the ball off to his right for his teammate Vicente Iborra to slot home.   

Bakambu strikes twice
Gameiro came close to extending his team's lead, but sent both of his headers wide of the woodwork. Sevilla did not take their chances and Villarreal made them pay. Congo international striker Cedric Bakambu began causing havoc amongst the home defence. He first levelled the scores just six minutes after Iborra's opener with a pinpoint shot from inside the area following some impressive build-up play from Antonio Rukavina, before, minutes later, giving his team a 2-1 lead with a powerful shot across goal from a great Adrian Lopez pass. It was the Villarreal man's 10th Liga BBVA goal of the season. 

 | 1-2 | @Bakambu17 has scored a brace to put @VillarrealCF ahead.

He has 10 Liga BBVA goals.#SFCvVIL pic.twitter.com/Mo92hrWLsW

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) March 13, 2016

 

 

A touch of luck
Villarreal had taken control of the game, but that all changed as the second half got underway. Sevilla started strongly, pressing high up the pitch and pushing Villarreal back. With the visitors on the back foot, Ukraine international Yevhen Konoplyanka found himself out on the left, from where he sent the ball goalwards, only for Villarreal defender Victor Ruiz to put his clearance into his own net. Lady Luck appeared to be smiling on the home side as they made it 2-2.   

Konoplyanka's scud
Konoplyanka was very active throughout the second half. He caused Villarreal no end of problems down the wing, but was at his most dangerous when he cut inside. The midfielder picked up the ball, cut inside and fired in an impressive curling shot from outside the area which surprised Areola and completed Sevilla's comeback. The winger limped off injured soon after making it 3-2.

A win that allows Sevilla to dream of fourth place
Villarreal looked to react and went in search of an equaliser, but Sevilla held fast in defence, despite being reduced to ten men after Ever Banega was shown a second yellow card, and even managed a fourth goal when Jose Antonio Reyes finished off a quick counter-attack in time added on. It was Sevilla's 13th straight Liga BBVA home win, an impressive run that leaves them in fifth place, just five points adrift of Villarreal. The win allows Sevilla to dream of taking a fourth place that Villarreal appeared to have secured several games ago.

FULL TIME | @SevillaFC_ENG 4-2 @VillarrealCF

(Iborra, Victor Ruiz OG, Konoplyanka, Reyes; Bakambu x2)#SFCvVIL pic.twitter.com/a15AVnph84

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) March 13, 2016