Sevilla travelled to Elche on Saturday evening looking to record their sixth La Liga win in their last seven matches.
Both sides had opportunities in the first period, but neither could make the breakthrough with the scores level at the interval.
Elche moved ahead when Cristian Herrera headed home from inside the box after 82 minutes, but Daniel Carrico secured a point for Sevilla in the latter stages.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero as Elche welcome Sevilla. The home side have lost five of their nine home games this season, with a total of 17 points leaving them in 16th position in the table. As it stands, they are just one point outside of the relegation zone.
Sevilla, however, are currently in their best form of the season. They struggled in the early part of the campaign, but have won five of their last six matches in the league, with that run of form moving them into seventh position in the table. Victory this evening would move them above Villarreal and level on points with fifth-place Real Sociedad.
Sevilla had one of the worst away records in La Liga last season, but their fortunes have changed in the new campaign with three wins and three draws in their nine matches on their travels. They have also had no problem scoring goals with 35 in their 18 matches – nine of which have come from summer signing Carlos Bacca, who starts this evening.
TEAMS:
ELCHE: Tono; Lomban, Suarez, Edu, Pelegrin; Niguez, Marquez, Perez, Coro; Boakye, Gil
SEVILLA: Beto; Coke, Fazio, Carrico, F.Navarro; Iborra, MBia, Rakitic; Vitolo, Reyes, Bacca
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Elche XI this evening with Carles Gil once more paired in attack with Richmond Boakye. There are also spots for Ruben Perez and Javi Marquez. Sevilla boss Unai Emery, meanwhile, leaves Kevin Gameiro and Alberto Moreno on the bench. Right, the home side get the action underway on this mild evening in Spain.
There is no question that Sevilla enter this match in the stronger form, but Elche have a good support behind them this evening. Not a full house inside the stadium, but there is a strong atmosphere. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if we indeed have one - could be vital in this particular contest.
It's bright work from Coro as the Elche midfielder finds some space inside the Sevilla box before turning a low effort towards goal, but Beto is on hand to make the save. The home side break with Ruben Perez moments later, but his cross deflects off Fernando Navarro for a throw. Good tempo to the opening four minutes this evening.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages of this match, but Elche remain in control of the possession. It wasn't too long ago that Sevilla had a horror record on the road, but that has improved this season. It is not too difficult to see why with the pace they boast in the final third. Elche will need to be aware of that this evening.
Just a few signs that Sevilla are starting to warm to their task with Rakitic seeing more of the ball in the final third. The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments, however, with both sides guilty of a number of late challenges. Still goalless after nine minutes of La Liga football.
It's bright work from Boakye as the Elche forward drives down the right before delivering a low cross towards Gil, but Fazio is across to clear the danger. Elche force a corner from Vitolo moments later, but Coke is on hand to clear. No real chances for either side thus far, but both have attempted to force the issue in the final third.
Good pressure from Sevilla in the last couple of moments as they force two corners in quick succession, but Suarez and Lomban take it in turns to clear the danger. Elche attempt to break with Ruben Perez, but he cannot find the run of Gil. Just a few signs that Sevilla are starting to take charge of this contest.
Sevilla continue to pass and probe outside the Elche box with Rakitic and Reyes joining Bacca inside the box, but the home side have been compact in defence thus far. It has been stop-start in the last few moments, however, with a number of fouls in quick succession.
Half-chance for the away side as Bacca combines with Vitolo on the edge of the box before curling one towards the bottom corner, but Tono is on hand to make the save. There is no real atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, with Elche struggling to keep hold of the ball. It remains goalless after 18 minutes of La Liga football.
CHANCE! Bacca comes close once more as the Sevilla forward breaks beyond the Elche defence, but Tono is on hand to deny the Colombian at the vital moment. The opportunities are starting to fall to the away side as the first period gathers pace.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but Sevilla remain in control of the ball. It is the type of match that needs a goal in order to open the play. Elche, understandably, are not keen on leaving themselves exposed in defence due to their current run of form, which has seen them suffer four successive league defeats.
The stop-start period of the match continues as the referee is forced to issue a number of free kicks. A half-chance arrives for Elche moments later as Edu finds the head of Coro inside the box, but the Spaniard can only direct his header high of the crossbar.
Half-chance for Sevilla as Reyes finds some space outside the box before taking on the shot, but his effort is deflected for a corner. The resulting set piece is taken by Rakitic, but Lomban is on hand to clear, before Gil is felled by Fazio just inside the Sevilla half.
Bacca remains the main threat for Sevilla in the final third, but the quality towards the Colombian has been short of the required standard in the opening 29 minutes. Boakye and Gil are doing their best to lead the line for Elche, but the inexperienced pair have struggled to influence proceedings. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.
It's good work from Reyes as the Sevilla winger picks Coro's pocket before finding Bacca, but Suarez manages to clear at the vital moment. Had the Sevilla forward managed to surpass the defender, he would have had a clear run on goal. No real chances for either side as the first period continues to gather pace.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Bacca as Rakitic finds Reyes, who slides a wonderful pass towards the Sevilla forward. Bacca rounds the home side's goalkeeper, but he cannot find the back of the net under pressure from two defenders. That is easily the closest either side has come in the opening 33 minutes.
Big penalty shout for Elche as Fazio appears to handle inside the box, but the referee is not interested. The resulting corner is delivered towards Beto, who punches clear of his area. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and the intensity has improved from both sides.
Opportunity for Elche to threaten from a free kick as Fazio fells Gil on the edge of the box. The resulting set piece is taken by Edu, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. The chances are starting to arrive after a fairly dull opening 25 minutes or so. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining.
Sergio Pelegrin becomes the latest name to enter the referee's book as the Elche defender fells Rakitic on the right. The resulting set piece is delivered into the area by Rakitic, but once more the danger is cleared. Elche attempt to break with Niguez, but Carrico fells the Spaniard and collects a card for his troubles.
The home side continue to force the issue with Coro and Perez combining on the edge of the box, but the former's final pass is just too heavy. Not too much for the away supporters to get excited about, however, with Sevilla going quiet in the final third. It appears that we are heading for a goalless first half.
HALF TIME: Elche 0-0 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Sevilla have had the better of the chances, but Elche improved in the latter stages of the half. It is delicately poised ahead of the second period.
STATISTICS: The home side have just shaded the possession with 55%, while they have had five attempts - one of which has been on target - to Sevilla's three. The best chance of the match fell to the away side when Bacca rounded Tono, but he could only fire wide of the post.
BENCH WATCH: Elche have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Mantecon, Fidel and Cisma. Meanwhile, Sevilla have the likes of Alberto Moreno, Kevin Gameiro and Marko Marin among their subs. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. As it stands, Elche would remain in 16th, while Sevilla would remain in seventh. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes of action underway.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I expect changes to be made if the score remains level for the next 20 minutes or so. High-tempo start to the second half as the challenges continue to fly in, but the referee has managed to keep a lid on events thus far.
MBia just needs to be a little bit careful here as he appears to arm Ruben Perez in the face, but the referee does not look to his pocket. In truth, late challenges have been a feature of the match in the opening 50 minutes. No real chances for either side in the second period, but Elche are enjoying more of the possession.
Half-chance for the home side as MBia has his pocket picked by Niguez, who attempts to roll a low cross into the box, but Fazio is on hand to clear the danger. Javi Marquez has an effort from the resulting corner, but his drive just whistles wide of the post. Sevilla are struggling to influence proceedings as the second period starts to gather pace.
The pressure from the home side continues as Suarez delivers a dangerous corner towards the near post, but Fazio rises under pressure from Boakye, whose presence has caused problems this evening. No real chances for either side in the second period, but the home side look the more likely to make something happen. Little over 35 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Bacca to send Sevilla into the lead as the ball drops to him inside the Elche box, but somehow he places his effort wide of the post. Glorious opportunity for the Colombian. The away side should be ahead here.
Opportunity for Elche to threaten from a free kick as Coke shows his studs in a late challenge. The resulting set piece is delivered towards Boakye, but Coke manages to clear at the vital moment. Still goalless with little over 30 minutes of football remaining. Still no movement on either bench.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Sevilla managing to stem the flow of pressure from Elche. We are certainly entering the stage of the match where both managers will be thinking about changes. In truth, something is needed in order to lift the crowd, who are extremely quiet at the moment.
Sevilla are preparing to make a double change, which is not too surprising at this stage of proceedings. You just get the feeling that one goal could be enough to collect all the points this evening. Vitolo attempts to force the issue for Sevilla moments later, but his low effort is wide of the post.
Wasteful from Elche as they have two free kicks in quick succession, but both are delivered into the arms of the Sevilla goalkeeper. Reyes gains a free kick down the other end moments later, but Reyes's delivery is cleared by Lomban. Little under 25 minutes of football remaining in this La Liga contest.
Sevilla make their first change as Iborra is replaced by Gameiro. Positive change from Emery, who is not prepared to settle for a point this evening. The Frenchman's first involvement comes down the left as he feeds Coke inside the Elche box, but Tono is on hand to collect at the vital moment.
The free-kick continues to rise as Elche gain another outside the Sevilla box, but once more Edu's delivery is short of the required standard at this level of football. Sevilla launch a break moments later, but Rakitic is felled by Coro. This match is in desperate need of a goal as we approach the final stages. Elche have options on the bench, but there is no movement at the moment.
Elche make their first change of the match as Fidel replaces Niguez. Sevilla also look to their bench with Pareja replacing MBia, who hobbles off the pitch.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for Bacca as the Sevilla forward collects a pass from Reyes before appearing to place one into the bottom corner. He beats the goalkeeper, but Suarez is on hand to clear at the vital moment. It remains goalless with little over 15 minutes remaining.
Another half-chance for Sevilla as Gameiro finds some space outside the box before attempting to curl one towards the bottom corner, but Tono manages to push it wide of the post. The resulting corner is delivered by Reyes, but Suarez clears before Fidel breaks for the home side. End-to-end football as we enter the latter stages of this La Liga contest.
Half-chance for Fidel as the Elche midfielder drives to the edge of the Sevilla box before attempting to find the target, but his effort is wide of the post. Elche make their second change of the match moments later as Cristian Herrera replaces Gil, who has struggled to influence proceedings this evening. It remains goalless with 79 minutes on the clock.
Sevilla make their third and final change as on-loan Chelsea attacker Marko Marin replaces Bacca, who has missed three or four clear chances this evening. On another day, the points would already be secure for Sevilla. You just get the feeling that there will be at least one more big chance in the final 10 minutes.
GOAL! Elche 1-0 Sevilla (Herrera)
The home side take the lead after 82 minutes as Herrera converts Fidel's cross with a towering header at the near post. The two subs combine for Elche.
That could be a big, big goal for Elche in the context of their season. They have not had too many chances this evening, but have come up with the goods in the final stages. Can Sevilla respond? Reyes looks to carry the fight with a deep cross into the box, but Marquez is on hand to clear the danger.
The home side make their third and final change as Boakye is replaced by Rivera for the final couple of moments. Sevilla have responded with a period of possession, but they are finding it difficult to create clear openings. There is a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium with 88 minutes on the clock.
GOAL! Elche 1-1 Sevilla (Carrico)
Sevilla level the scores in the 89th minute as Carrico converts a Reyes cross from close range. Question marks must be asked about the defending, but Sevilla have rescued a point here.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the last of those. Sevilla are the team on the front foot as they continue to pass and probe in the Elche half, but the home side have all 10 outfield players behind the ball.
FULL TIME: Elche 1-1 Sevilla
So there we have it. Sevilla continue their unbeaten run with a 1-1 draw against Elche, who have ended a run of four straight defeats. The home side remain in 16th spot in the table, while Sevilla sit seventh and are now six points off the top four. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us again tomorrow for more La Liga football. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
