Real Madrid are at risk of losing ground to Barcelona in the race for the La Liga title after Ciro Immobile brought Sevilla level before half time.
The game, in front of a packed stadium at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, started in feisty fashion as both sides launched into tackles, but it was Los Blancos who appeared to get into their groove first after Danilo set up Gareth Bale, but the Welshman's effort was easily saved by Sergio Rico.
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Pepe then delivered a pinpoint into the path of his countryman as Cristiano Ronaldo's strike at goal was deflected behind for a corner.
From that set piece, Nacho drilled a shot from the edge of the area, which struck the inside of the left post, before flying agonisingly across the face of goal, with Rico well beaten.
Rafael Benitez's side finally broke the deadlock as another set piece presented Sergio Ramos with the chance to score, which he did with an acrobatic effort into the bottom corner.
However, his spectacular strike came at a cost as he aggravated an injury to his left shoulder and was eventually forced off the field.
After the half-hour mark, Real tried to build on their lead, but Bale's curling shot was collected with ease by Rico.
Madrid were punished for the inability to increase their advantage when Immobile fired past Kiko Casilla from an acute angle.
The Borussia Dortmund loanee could have scored a second before the interval when he prodded another effort wide of the post after latching onto Benoit Tremoulinas.
Follow second half action from the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan with Sports Mole's live text commentary.
Chris O'Keefe
