3-0: PERFECT PERFORMANCE SINKS GRANADA

In a repeat of the score at Nuevo Los Cármenes, Quique Sánchez Flores’s first game in charge, we were simply too strong for relegation-threatened Granada CF. Marcos Acuña opened the scoring before second-half strikes from Youssef En-Nesyri and Dodi Lukébakio helped secure all three points in comprehensive fashion. 

The majority of our early threat came through the wide areas, Jesús Navas looking particularly menacing when overlapping Lucas Ocampos down the right-hand side. Having already caused some problems for the Granada defence with a couple of teasing crosses, our captain found the mark in the 12^th minute, delivering a beautiful ball to the back-post where Acuña was on hand to head home his first goal of the season and give us an early advantage. Erik Lamela, replacing the injured Isaac Romero in the starting XI, made the initial break in midfield before feeding Navas on the right wing. He then exchanged neat passes with Ocampos to create the crossing opportunity that led to our opening goal.

Ørjan Nyland almost gifted the away side an equaliser six minutes later. His poor clearance could only find Ignasi Miquel, who played in Matías Arezo with a first-time pass. But the striker was unable to find the target, putting his effort comfortably over the bar. Arezo’s second chance of the game came soon after, but this time he shot straight at our Norwegian keeper, who saved with ease.

The visitors thought they had got back on level terms in the 36^th minute. Kamil Jozwiak cut inside onto his right foot and shot at goal. Nyland tipped his effort onto the bar before the rebound was poked into the back of the net. It was chalked off, however, with replays showing that Jozwiak was just unable to keep the ball in play. 

On the cusp of half time, three Granada attackers raced free on the counterattack with Kike Salas the only defender back. But, as they were bearing down on goal, Loïc Badé showed every ounce of his athleticism to get back and cut out the danger, ensuring that we headed to the changing rooms a goal to the good.

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En-Nesyri continued his fine form in front of goal, doubling our lead early in the second half. Boubakary Soumaré won the ball back on the half-way line, before releasing the Moroccan through the middle. He played it out wide to Ocampos who returned the favour with a beautifully weighted pass to the back-post for En-Nesyri to tap home into an unguarded net. Goal number 17 of the season for the striker who has now netted in each of the past four home games. 

En-Nesyri has now equalled Ben Yedder's tally of 70 goals and moves into our top 10 goalscorers of all time

In a dominant second-half display, chances kept coming our way. First, Lamela dragged a right-footed effort just wide from the edge of the box following Agoumé’s cut back. Then, Acuña created two great chances with crosses from the left-hand side. En-Nesyri couldn’t direct his header on target before Ocampos forced Batalla into an impressive reflex save from an almost identical position. 

Just as the crowd might have thought a third goal would prove illusive, Lukébakio, having been introduced from the bench only moments before, produced a moment of magic, curling in a delightful effort into the top-left corner. No chance for the visiting keeper and all three points secured.

With the game heading towards full time, Alejo Veliz was denied by Ballata at close range following Hannibal Mejbri’s through ball before Nyland made a diving save to deny Gonzalo Villar and keep the clean sheet intact. The final play of the match saw Sergio Ramos close to getting his name on the scoresheet, but he was unable to direct Lukébakio’s cross into the back of the net.

Victory moves us up to twelfth position in the table on 41 points having won four out of the past five games. As for the visitors, Granada’s away woes continue and they now find themselves on the verge of an immediate return to LaLiga Hypermotion, eleven points from safety with four games left to play. Next up for us is a trip to Villarreal on Saturday 11 May, kicking off at 16:15 CEST as we look to continue this fine form heading into the end of the season. 

MATCH DETAILS

3. SEVILLA FC: Nyland, Jesús Navas, Badé, Sergio Ramos, Kike Salas (Nianzou, 74'), Acuña, Soumaré (Jordán, 89'), Agoumé, Lamela (Lukébakio, 74'), Ocampos (Hannibal, 83'), En-Nesyri (Veliz, 83').

0. GRANADA CF: Batalla, Méndez, Rubio, Miquel, Neva, Gumbau, Ruiz (Hongla, 62'), Pellistri (Corbeanu, 86'), Jozwiak, Boyé, Arezo (Uzuni, 62').

GOALS: 1-0 Acuña (11'). 2-0 En-Nesyri (51'). 3-0 Lukébakio (80').

REFEREE: Ferrer Busquets. 

YELLOW CARDS: Ruiz, Ocampos, Badé.