Sevilla thrash Granada to keep Champions League hopes alive

Sevilla have kept their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Granada this evening.

The hosts took the lead in fortuitous circumstances after 14 minutes when Kevin Gameiro's low cross into the area was inadvertently turned into his own net by Diego Mainz.

The second goal was even more calamitous for Granada as Sevilla doubled their lead six minutes after the restart when Tiago Ilori poked the ball past his own onrushing keeper before being spared the embarrassment of an own goal by Gameiro getting a toe to it just before it crossed the line.

It was 3-0 just seven minutes later, and once again Gameiro was involved as he fed a low pass across the box for an unmarked Stephane Mbia to sweep home at the back post.

Granada's defensive horror show continued with a little over 20 minutes remaining in the match as Mainz's attempted clearance struck Allan Nyom inside the area and bounced to Victor Vitolo, who had the simple task of slotting home from close range.

The hosts could not add a fifth in the closing stages to improve their goal difference compared to fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao, but the win does take them to within three points of the Basque outfit.