Sevilla edge past Real Sociedad

Sevilla have moved up a position to seventh in La Liga courtesy of a narrow 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad this evening.

The hosts almost took the lead after just eight minutes when Ivan Rakitic fired a free kick towards goal from the edge of the box, only for Claudio Bravo to produce a fine save to deny the attacker.

Sociedad responded with a chance of their own shortly afterwards as Antoine Griezmann was picked out with a precise cross but couldn't steer his header on target.

Sevilla came within inches of breaking the deadlock in the 20th minute when Jose Antonio Reyes shot from inside the six yard box, only for a defender to make a vital block and deflect the ball onto the post.

Just a minute later Sociedad had another opening as Sergio Canales created a chance for himself, but Antonio Bastos got down well to make the save.

Bastos was called upon again with five minutes to go until the break, denying Griezmann after he had latched onto a pass in the penalty area.

The hosts almost took the lead into half time when Reyes nodded an effort towards the top corner, only to be denied again by a fine Bravo stop.

Griezmann had another chance with just under 20 minutes to go in the match, but again he couldn't find a way past Beto in the Sevilla goal.

The goal did eventually come five minutes later, but this time it went the way of the hosts. Kevin Gameiro embarked on a fine solo effort before finishing with aplomb, firing a shot into the bottom corner.