Sevilla 1 - 0 Eibar: Fernando Llorente strike enough for Sevilla

Posted Thursday, March 03, 2016 by PA

Spain international Fernando Llorente struck the only goal as Sevilla maintained their impressive home record with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Eibar.

Striker Llorente was on target early in the second half to edge Sevilla back to winning ways after Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Barcelona had halted a seven-game unbeaten league run.

Sevilla went ahead with their first shot on target in the 11th minute when Llorente converted Michael Krohn-Dehli's cross for his seventh goal of the season.

Llorente twice went close to adding a second in the space of four minutes midway through the first half but Eibar created chances themselves before the break.

Striker Borja Baston's header was well saved by Sevilla goalkeeper Sergio Rico, who then brilliantly turned away defender Gonzalo Escalante's shot from outside the penalty area.

End-to-end action continued after the break with Baston's shot from inside the area and then a header from Escalante's cross both saved by Rico.

Eibar goalkeeper Asier Riesgo kept out Carrico's header following a cross from Ever Banega, who then forced two more fine saves with efforts from the edge of the area.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men after defender Lillo Castellano's second yellow card in the 88th minute, but they mounted one last flurry as striker Sergi Enrich's shot was saved by Rico before Baston dragged his effort wide when well placed in the 90th minute.

Sevilla substitute Vicente Iborra's angled drive hit a post in time added on and there was still time for Eibar to force Rico into another superb reaction, this time from substitute Saul Berjon as Sevilla held on for a 12th straight home league win.