Sevilla too strong for Athletic Bilbao

Sevilla secured their fourth win in a row in La Liga with a 2-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao this afternoon.

The home side took the lead just three minutes into the tie as a miscued clearance allowed Aleix Vidal to slot the ball in from close range.

Sevilla could have added a second just a few minutes later as Grzegorz Krychowiak rose highest to try to nod the ball in from a Victor Vitolo corner, but his effort was just high of the crossbar.

The home side did double their advantage midway through the first half as Vicente Iborra fired the ball through for Carlos Bacca to drive in low.

Mikel Rico tried to get Bilbao back into the match before half time, sending in a dangerous cross, but none of his teammates could reach it before it went behind, while Oscar de Marcos saw his finish blocked a few minutes later.

The visitors continued to attack as the break neared, but Aritz Aduriz's header was high after Benat Etxebarria found him from a corner.

Bilbao remained of the offensive at the start of the second half as they tried to cut Sevilla's advantage, but Aymeric Laporte was denied while trying to head in a free kick.

Etxebarria tried to put the Sevilla keeper under pressure from a free kick, but Sergio Rico kept it out before tipping a rebound effort from Mikel San Jose behind as well.

Williams and Etxebarria both had further efforts as Bilbao continued to dominate the second half, but Rico remained alert between the posts to protect Sevilla'a lead.

The hosts tried to put the win beyond doubt late on as Ever Banega and Denis Suarez both got forward to create chances which were squandered, but to no cost.

The result keeps Sevilla fifth in the table, just a point behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, while Bilbao sit eighth.