Sevilla travelled to Espanyol on Sunday looking to pick up their first La Liga win on the road since September 2012.
The away side were 2-0 ahead inside 10 minutes following goals from Federico Fazio and Vitolo, but Espanyol cut the deficit to one goal through Sergio Garcia after 23 minutes.
Sevilla restored their two-goal lead just before the hour mark, however, when Carlos Bacca found the bottom corner following a mazy run.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Our La Liga coverage opens from Barcelona as Espanyol welcome Sevilla. Both sides enjoyed purple patches last month, but the wheels have come off in recent weeks. Espanyol still sit 11th following a positive start to the season, but Sevilla are 14th after collecting just 13 points from their first 12 matches.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Sevilla have won three of the last five, with the further two ending in draws. As mentioned, the corresponding fixture last season ended in a 2-2 draw, but Sevilla were 3-0 winners on their own patch when the two sides met in May.
TEAMS:
ESPANYOL: Casilla; Rodriguez, Sidnei, Moreno, Fuentes; Simao, Sanchez, Lopez, Abraham, Lanzarote; Garcia
SEVILLA: Beto; Pareja, Fazio, Carrico, Figueiras; Vitolo, Rakitic, Iborra, Moreno; Bacca, Jairo
So there we have it. No Pizzi in the Espanyol XI this morning, with Sergio Garcia starting as the lone striker. There are also spots for Abraham and Lanzarote as Javier Aguirre rings the chances. As expected for Sevilla, however, with Kevin Gameiro on the sidelines with a thigh injury. Carlos Bacca will lead their line with support from Jairo Sampeiro.
Espanyol threatened to break into the top four in the early part of the campaign with a strong run of form, but they have struggled in recent weeks. They still sit 11th, but they are now eight points off the Champions League positions – not that European football would have been a target at the start of the campaign. Just one win has arrived in the last five matches for the Barcelona-based side.
Their home form has been strong this season with three wins, two draws and just one defeat on their own patch. However, they have won just one of their six games on the road. Goals have also been a problem with just 12 strikes in their 12 matches. Meanwhile, down the other end, they have conceded 15 times.
Sevilla, meanwhile, have conceded 25 times in their first 12 matches, which is the second-worst record in the league. They have kept just one clean sheet in the league this season, while they have not won on the road for over a year. The goals have been free-flowing in attack, however, with 20 in their first 12 matches of the season.
Unai Emery has put together an exciting team at Sevilla this season, but their willingness to attack has left them open down the other end. A clear indication of that point came in their clash with Real Madrid at the end of last month. They scored three times in the Bernabeu – and should have notched more – but ended up losing the match 7-3.
Defeat also followed last time out, but that one was more damaging as they lost 1-0 at home to Celta Vigo. As mentioned, they are still winless on the road this season, with all three of their league wins coming on their own patch. Their away struggles will end at some point, but Espanyol will hope that is not the case this morning.
PREDICTION: Espanyol have played some good football on their own patch this season, but looking at their XI, it is difficult to see where the goals are going to come from. Sevilla, meanwhile, are due a result on the road. They have not won on their travels in the league since October 2012, but I am backing them to collect all three points in Barcelona.
Here we go then. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Just a reminder that Espanyol will line up with a five-man midfield this afternoon, while Sevilla have Carlos Bacca leading their line. Let's hope for entertainment in Barcelona. The away side get the action underway.
Wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium on this warm afternoon in Barcelona. The home supporters will be expecting a response, but Sevilla have come with an attacking team. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if we indeed have one - could be vital in this type of match. Fairly low-key opening two minutes to proceedings.
Bright start from Sevilla as Rakitic collects possession outside the box before attempting to find Bacca, but Moreno is across to clear the danger. Espanyol are down the other end with Sergio Garcia moments later, but the Spaniard is edged out by Fazio.
GOAL! Espanyol 0-1 Sevilla (Fazio)
Sevilla take the lead inside three minutes as Fazio rises inside the Espanyol box before thumping a powerful header into the back of the net. Fantastic start from the away side in Barcelona.
Almost an immediate response from the home side as Moreno clears Garcia's cross, but he almost turns into his own net. The resulting corner also causes problems inside the Sevilla box, but the referee blows for a foul as Moreno challenges Beto. Plenty happening in the opening six minutes of proceedings.
Neither side is too interested in defending at the moment as both continue to commit players in the final third. If Sevilla are to collect all three points this afternoon, then you just get the feeling that they need to score a second. The first bad challenge of the match occurs in the middle of the park as Carrico dives into Garcia, but no card is issued by the referee.
Plenty happening in the middle of the park at the moment as both sides continue to force the issue. Sevilla manage to gain more ground in the final third as Rakitic plays in Bacca, but the Colombian had moved into an offside position. Espanyol are down the other end with Lanzarote, but the Spaniard is denied by Fazio.
GOAL! Espanyol 0-2 Sevilla (Vitolo)
Sevilla score their second of the match as Vitolo collects possession on the edge of the box before whipping a wonderful effort into the top corner. Espanyol just have not started here.
Will Sevilla finally end their away troubles this afternoon? Espanyol have the chance to cut the deficit to 2-1 as Garcia is felled by Pareja outside the box, with the Argentine picking up a yellow card for his troubles. The resulting free kick is taken by Lanzarote, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
Only 16 minutes into proceedings and Beto has been warned about timewasting. I am not sure about that! Espanyol will still be confident of turning this match around due to Sevilla's recent problems in defence and indeed on the road. It has been an explosive start to proceedings with both sides threatening from free kicks outside the box. Rakitic tests Casilla moments later, but the stopper makes the save.
Espanyol again attempt to force the issue as Simao collects possession outside the box before feeding Garcia, but the Spaniard had moved into an offside position. In fairness to the home supporters, they are staying with their side. However, Sevilla look dangerous on the counter with their pace and movement.
You just get the feeling that Sevilla need to score again if they are to be comfortable in this match. They led 2-0 at Real Valladolid earlier on in the season, but conceded twice in the final 10 minutes to draw. Unai Emery will be keen to avoid a repeat here. Although there has been no sign of a reaction from the home side thus far.
It's good work from Fuentes as the Espanyol left-back collects possession down the left before delivering a low cross into the box, but Fazio is across to clear at the vital moment. The danger remains, however, as Lanzarote delivers a deep cross towards Garcia.
GOAL! Espanyol 1-2 Sevilla (Garcia)
Espanyol respond as Garcia collects a loose ball inside the box before lifting his effort over Beto. Game on in Barcelona. Are Sevilla's defensive problems going to haunt them once more?
End-to-end football in Barcelona as Garcia fires one just wide of the post for the home side, before Moreno's cross just evades Bacca down the other end. Neither side is too interested in defending at the moment as both continues to commit bodies in the final third. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in this one.
The home supporters are in fine voice as we approach the latter stages of the first period. Sevilla threaten on the break once more as Bacca finds Rakitic outside the box, but the Croatian is chopped down by Sidnei, who receives a yellow card for his troubles. Espanyol will know all about Rakitic's quality from this particular distance.
CHANCE! Rakitic's free kick looks to be heading into the bottom corner, but it just moves wide of the post at the final moment. Replays have shown that it took a slight deflection. The resulting corner also causes problems inside the box, but the referee whistles for a foul after Fazio fells Moreno.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for Sevilla as Carrico meets a cross from Rakitic, but somehow the Portuguese heads wide of the post. You have to wonder whether the away side will be made to regret these missed opportunities. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining in Barcelona.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments as both sides continue to commit players in the final third. There has not been too much football in the middle of the park, with both teams keen to counter as quickly as possible. The next goal - if we indeed have one - will surely be vital in terms of the final result.
Controversial moment as Rakitic goes down just outside the box following a challenge from Lopez, but the referee is not interested. Surely a booking should have been awarded if the official thought that it was simulation? There have been some strange decisions in terms of free kicks in the first period.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining in Barcelona, with Sevilla leading 2-1. However, I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals. Neither side is defending particularly well, while both continues to commit bodies in the final third. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments.
Good spell for Sevilla in the last couple of moments with Jairo and Vitolo seeing plenty of the ball in wide positions. However, Bacca has struggled for service in the last 15 minutes or so. Espanyol continue to force the issue down the other end with Garcia, but the skipper runs straight into Fazio when the pass for Simao looked the easier option.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the latter stages of the half as both sides prepare to enter the break. It is so delicately poised at this stage of proceedings. I can see both sides scoring again, but I am sticking with my pre-match prediction of a Sevilla victory. Little over one minute of the first period remaining in this La Liga contest.
HALF TIME: Espanyol 1-2 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Sevilla leading 2-1 at the interval. The away side were 2-0 ahead inside 10 minutes following goals from Federico Fazio and Vitolo, but Espanyol cut the deficit to one goal through Sergio Garcia after 23 minutes. It is so delicately poised ahead of the second period.
STATISTICS: The possession was shared in the first period with both sides having 50%. However, Sevilla have had four attempts to Espanyol's four. The referee, meanwhile, has been forced to issue two yellow cards, although it might have been more with the amount of challenges in the middle of the park.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Thievy Bifouma, Pizzi and Jhon Cordoba. Meanwhile, Sevilla have the likes of Diego Perotti, Jose Antonio Reyes and Sebastian Cristoforo in reserve.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Sevilla hold on for their first away win in the league for over a year? Or will Espanyol turn this match around? No changes for either side at the interval as Espanyol get the second period underway. Let's hope for entertainment.
Excuse me, there was indeed one change at the interval for the home side with Cordoba replacing Abraham, who struggled for invention in the first period. Bright start to the half from the home side as they force a corner from Moreno, but Beto comes to clear under pressure from Garcia. I have a feeling that Sevilla will need to repel some danger in the second period.
Just a reminder that there is no Gameiro for Sevilla this afternoon, with the Frenchman on the sidelines with a thigh injury. However, as previously mentioned, they do have options on the bench. You just get the feeling that Espanyol are starting to warm to their task here. Sevilla surely need to score again if they want to be comfortable entering the latter stages.
Cordoba has not been on the field for long, but he is providing a different option for the home side. Garcia looks for the run of the Colombian, but Fazio is across to clear at the vital moment. Seems to be a problem for Pareja, meanwhile, as the Sevilla right-back goes down in some pain. A twist seemed to occur in his ankle.
Another change for the home side as Thievy replaces Lanzarote. Surely Sevilla will have to make a change in the next couple of moments. We have just seen a replay of the incident involving Pareja and the Argentine turned his ankle. That could be ligament damage, which would mean an extended period on the sidelines.
Indeed Sevilla are forced into the change as Cristoforo replaces the injured Pareja, who has gone straight down the tunnel on a stretcher. Half-chance for Espanyol as Sidnei meets a bouncing ball inside the box, but Fazio is across to clear at the vital moment. Little over 30 minutes of normal time remaining in Barcelona. Still Sevilla lead.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Espanyol to level as Cordoba finds Sanchez inside the box, but Beto is across to make a fine save at the vital moment. The introduction of Cordoba and Thievy has caused all sorts of problems to Sevilla, who are really struggling to keep hold of the ball after 60 minutes of football in Barcelona.
GOAL! Espanyol 1-3 Sevilla (Bacca)
Sevilla score their third against the run of play as Bacca bursts through two defenders before slotting his effort into the bottom corner. Stunning run and finish from the Colombian striker. Has that ended Espanyol's challenge?
That goal is an indication of what Sevilla can do to teams. They are not the best defensively, but they posses such pace and power on the counter. Just a reminder that they have not won on their travels in the league since September 2012. Could that record end in Barcelona? Espanyol still have time to turn this around.
The referee has been more involved than he would like in the last couple of moments as the challenges continue to arrive in the middle of the park. Just a reminder that the home side have made two of their three permitted changes, while Sevilla have been forced into one change with Pareja leaving the field with an injury.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Espanyol struggling for possession in the final third. Thievy continues to force the issue with runs beyond the Sevilla back four, but the final pass just has not been there from his teammates. Sevilla, meanwhile, remain a threat on the counter.
Hardly time to take a breath at the moment as both sides continue to counter with numbers. Sevilla have a half-chance to score their fourth as Rakitic finds Jairo, but Moreno is across to clear at the vital moment. You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals in this entertaining La Liga clash.
Another half-chance for Sevilla as Rodriguez fells Jairo on the edge of the box as the Spaniard prepared to pull the trigger. The resulting free kick is taken by Rakitic, but his effort is straight into the wall. Another goal for the away side would surely secure all three points. Little under 20 minutes of football remaining. As it stands, Sevilla will end a long winless run on the road.
Espanyol make their third and final change of the match as Pizzi replaces Simao, who has struggled to influence proceedings this afternoon. Sevilla are down the other end with Bacca moments later, the Colombian feeds Jairo, but his effort deflects into the arms of Casilla in the Espanyol goal.
Good pressure from the home side in the last couple of moments as they continue to fire high balls into the Sevilla box, but the likes of Fazio and Figueiras have been impressive in the heart of the away side's defence. Rakitic leads a counter for Sevilla moments later, but Jairo's eventual effort is blocked by Sidnei.
Cristoforo collects a yellow card for Sevilla as the midfielder fells Cordoba, who had been breaking into the away side's box. Some might call that a professional foul. The resulting free kick is taken by Pizzi, but his effort is just wide of the post. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining. Still Sevilla lead 3-1.
Sevilla make their second change of the match as Jairo, who has just run out of legs in the last 10 minutes or so, is replaced by the talented Perotti. Not too much in terms of clear chances in the last couple of moments, which will suit Sevilla. They are little over 10 minutes away from a famous away win. Can they hold on?
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments as the referee is forced to deal with a number of late challenges. Javi Lopez is the latest to receive a yellow card as the Espanyol midfielder fells Cristoforo. Possession football for Sevilla in the final third moments later, but it breaks down with Rakitic attempts to feed Bacca inside the box.
Half-chance for Garcia as the Espanyol skipper collects a loose ball outside the box, but his effort is blocked by Fazio. Victor Sanchez receives a booking moments later as the card count continues to rise. Espanyol force the issue once more with a low cross from Thievy, but Fazio clears for a corner. A goal now would make the final moments very interesting indeed.
RED CARD! Espanyol are reduced to 10 men with five minutes remaining as Sanchez picks up his second yellow card for a poor challenge on Iborra. The home side's task has just got that bit harder in the latter stages.
If Espanyol are to take something from this match, then a goal has to come now. It would not be impossible to score twice in the final stages of this match, but Sevilla are sitting deep and refusing to move. I suspect that there will be at least three minutes of additional time at the end of the 90.
Possession football for Sevilla as they keep the ball down the right as Iborra buys a free kick from Garcia. The home supporters have started to make their way towards the exit - they think this match is over. A fine chance arrives for Sevilla moments later, but Perotti fires high of the crossbar from inside the box. That would have secured all the points.
The referee indicates that we will play an additional four minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Fazio has been tower of strength at the heart of the Sevilla defence this afternoon, while it was his goal that opened the scoring. Sevilla are almost there as Thievy fires one high and wide of the crossbar. Another change for the away side, meanwhile, as Reyes replaces Vitolo.
Espanyol continue to deliver deep crosses into the Sevilla box, but the danger is cleared on each occasion. The away side have the chance to score their fourth on the counter moments later, but Bacca loses possession at the vital moment. That should be just about that for this one.
FULL TIME: Espanyol 1-3 Sevilla
So there we have it. Sevilla's long winless run on the road comes to an end as they beat Espanyol 3-1. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us from 5.30pm for Villarreal against Atletico Madrid. Until then!
