Elche travelled to Real Betis on Sunday looking to record their third straight win in Spain's top division.
The away side were 2-0 ahead after 33 minutes following goals from Manu del Moral and Fidel, but Jorge Molina cut the deficit in the latter stages of the first period.
Betis dominated possession in the second period, but could not force a leveller as Elche held on for another three points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our penultimate live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from Seville as Real Betis welcome Elche. The home side challenged for a Champions League spot for a large chunk of last season, but they have struggled in the new campaign. Elche, meanwhile, appear to have found some form in the last couple of weeks.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, it does not make good reading for Betis. Elche have won each of the last three matches – all of which have been in the Segunda Division. The clash in February 2011 ended in a 4-1 win for Elche, who were also 3-0 winners in April 2010 and 3-0 winners in November 2009.
As mentioned, Betis currently sit in 14th spot in the table having taken eight points from their eight matches – winning just twice. Elche have also won just twice, but both of those have come in their last two matches. They have one more point than their opponents this evening and therefore sit in 13th position.
TEAMS:
REAL BETIS: Sara; Chica, Paulao, Amaya, Nacho; Matilla, Reyes, Juanfran, Sevilla; Carlos, Molina
ELCHE: Herrera; Cisma, Lomban, Suarez, Botia; Marquez, Perez; Fidel, Manu, Coro; Gil
So there we have it. No Joan Verdu or Cedrick in the Betis XI this evening, but Juanfran and Jorge Molina both start. There are also starting roles for Juan Carlos and Javier Matilla. Elche, meanwhile, continue with Carles Gil as their lone striker. Here we go then. The home side get the action underway in Seville.
Far from a full house in the stadium this evening, but there is a good atmosphere. The home supporters will expect three points there is no question about that. It has been a bright start from Elche, however, with Coro delivering a low cross into the Betis area, but Nacho is on hand to clear at the vital moment.
Antonio Amaya enters the book in the early stages for a poor challenge on Manu del Moral down the right. The resulting free kick is whipped into the box by Javi Marquez, but Paulao is on hand to make the clearance. Positive start from the away side, with Betis unable to keep hold of the possession thus far.
Safe to say that the home supporters are not best pleased with what they have seen thus far as Juanfran loses possession inside his own half, presenting a shooting chance to Manu del Moral, but his effort is blocked. Betis are down the other end moments later, but Nacho's low strike is wide of the post.
The referee has been more involved than he would like in the last couple of moments with the challenges arriving from both sets of players. Gil gets involved in an altercation with Amaya moments later, but the official calms proceedings. Just a few signs that Betis are starting to warm to the task in Seville.
Another opportunity for Elche to whip a free kick into the Betis box, but Marquez's delivery is cleared by Matilla. Marquez sends the ball back into the box moments later, but Amaya turns behind his own goal. It has been a shaky start from the Betis defence. Still goalless with 10 minutes on the clock.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of losing possession too easily in the opposing half. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if we indeed have one - could be vital in this type of match. Already the home supporters are putting pressure on their side.
Another Elche attack threatens to bring the opening goal as Coro drives past two challenges before sliding a pass towards Gil, but the Spaniard cannot make contact under pressure from Sara. Elche goalkeeper Manu Herrera has had a very comfortable opening 15 minutes in Seville. Still goalless in this La Liga contest.
The home supporters have just started to raise the atmosphere inside the stadium, which is being reflected in Betis' performance. A half-chance arrives as Molina collects a through pass from Juanfran, but the offside flag cuts the attack short. Not too much from Elche in the last couple of moments.
Betis want a penalty as Juanfran's shot appears to hit the hand of Botia inside the box, but the referee is not interested. It would have been harsh. Moments later, Amaya strikes one from outside the box, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Better from Betis as they continue to commit players in advanced positions.
We are still waiting for the first real chance of the evening with 22 minutes on the clock. Betis have overcome a slow start, but there is a purpose about Elche's football with the away side impressing with their quick passing in the final third. Just a reminder that, as it stands, Elche are one spot above Betis in the table.
Another penalty shout for Betis as Molina goes down inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Safe to say that the officials are not too popular with the home supporters at the moment. Sevilla tumbles in the box again moments later, but this time there are no calls.
The card count continues to rise as Matilla enters the book for a late challenge on Manu del Moral. The referee has been overly involved in the opening 27 minutes there is no question about that. The resulting free kick is delivered into the box by Marquez, but Amaya is on hand to clear with a towering header.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments with neither side able to find that elusive pass in the final third. Plenty of suggestions that we will have goals this evening, however, with both sides pressing in the final third. We are in desperate need of some inspiration here.
GOAL! Betis 0-1 Elche (Manu)
Elche take the lead with 29 minutes on the clock as Manu del Moral turns into the back of the net following a wonderful cross from Cisma. Powerful header from the on-loan Sevilla striker. The stadium has been silenced.
Elche had started in a positive fashion this evening and they have been rewarded. The home side attempt to respond down the right as Juanfran drives a low cross into the box, but Herrera is on hand to collect the danger. You just get the feeling that Betis need to respond before the interval.
GOAL! Betis 0-2 Elche (Fidel)
Elche score their second of the evening as Fidel collects a pass from Coro before arrowing his effort into the bottom corner. It is no more than they deserve. Pepe Mel is stunned on the sideline.
Betis will need their experienced players this evening there is no question about that. It is the away supporters that can be heard in an almost silent stadium. Betis attempt to respond down the other end with Juanfran, but his low effort is into the arms of Herrera. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Betis to open their tally for the evening as Juan Carlos finds some space inside the Elche box, but his low effort is saved by the legs of Herrera. You just get the feeling that a Betis goal at this stage would hand them real impetus ahead of the second period.
Elche have another shooting chance as Coro strikes one from outside the box, but Sara is on hand to collect. Betis push down the other end with Reyes, but he asks too much from Juanfran. Molina wins a free kick outside the box moments later, however, with Botia entering the book for his troubles.
GOAL! Betis 1-2 Elche (Molina)
Betis are back in the match in the latter stages of the first period as Molina heads a Sevilla free kick into the back of the net. However, replays have shown that the Spaniard was in an offside position.
That is cruel on Elche, but they simply had to play until the whistle. Suddenly the home supporters are full of voice, while Elche want the interval in order to regroup. Little over one minute of normal time remaining in what has been an entertaining first period in Seville.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute and we are indeed into added time. Betis come close to their second of the evening as Carlos delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but Suarez just manages to clear at the vital moment. One-way traffic at the moment.
HALF TIME: Betis 1-2 Elche
So there we have it. The referee brings the half to an end with Elche leading Real Betis 2-1 at the interval. The away side raced into a two-goal lead with strikes from Manu del Moral and Fidel, but Jorge Molina struck for the home side five minutes before the interval. It is so delicately poised ahead of the second period.
STATISTICS: Real Betis have dominated the possession with 65%, but both sides have managed three attempts. All three of Elche's attempts have been on target, with Sara forced into a smart save in the early stages. It has been an untidy half in terms of challenges, meanwhile, with the referee forced to issue five cards.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Chuli, Joan Verdu, Nosa Igiebor and Cedrick - four players who could all change the game. Elche, meanwhile, have the liks of Aaron Niguez, Richmond Boakye and Tono in reserve.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Elche would move into ninth position in the table, which is incredible seeing as how they failed to win in their first six. Right, Elche get the second period underway in Seville.
Betis, who were out for the second period five minutes before their opponents, have made one change at the interval with Chuli replacing Chica, which is certainly an attacking move from Pepe Mel, who I should not think was too pleased at the break. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital this evening.
RED CARD! Cisma (Elche)
Elche are reduced to 10 men in the early stages of the second period as Cisma fells Juanfran outside the box. It was soft there is no question about that. Suddenly Fran Escriba's plans for the second half have been thrown into question.
Early half-chance for Chuli as the Betis forward is found by Sevilla, but his final touch just lets him down at the vital moment. It must be said that it is a surprise that Pepe Mel has not looked to introduce Cedrick, who has hardly featured since impressing against Real Madrid on the opening weekend of the season.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to level the scores as Juanfran combines with Chuli before driving into the box, but Botia is across to make a fine challenge at the vital moment. One-way traffic in the early stages of the half with Betis on the front foot. It could be a long 40 minutes for the away side.
Manu tries his luck for the away side as he collects possession outside the box before attempting to sneak one into the bottom corner, but it was always moving wide of the post. Betis are down the other end with Chuli moments later, but Botia comes across to clear. End-to-end football with 54 minutes on the clock.
Untidy from Elche in the last couple of moments with the away side really struggling to keep hold of the ball. The home supporters are raising the atmosphere inside the stadium, meanwhile, which is inspiring the Betis players. A goal for the home side at this stage would make them firm favourites to claim all three.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments as Juanfran loses possession inside the Elche box, before Manu drives one wide of the post down the other end. Betis have not really taken advantage of the extra man in the early stages of the second period, but there is still plenty of time for that to change.
Betis make their second change of the match as Verdu replaces Matilla. It was a surprise that the former was not selected from the start this evening, but he has struggled in the early stages of his Betis career. Little under 30 minutes remaining for Betis to turn this one around.
Elche make their first change of the match as Manu, who opened the scoring this evening, is replaced by Mantecon. That is not much of a surprise with the away side losing Cisma in the early stages of the second period. Not too much to report in terms of chances, however, with both sides losing possession too readily in the final third.
Half-chance for the home side as Juan Carlos delivers a low cross into the box, but Botia just manages to clear at the vital moment. Betis continue to force the issue with two corners into the box, but the first is cleared by Lomban, before Paulao fires wide of the post from inside the box.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Betis to level the scores as the ball falls for Molina inside the box, but Herrera manages to clear at the vital moment. Betis make their third and final change moments later as Cedrick replaces Sevilla. Little over 20 minutes for the 21-year-old to make an impact this evening.
Not too much for the away supporters to get excited about at the moment with Betis in control of the possession. However, they are finding it difficult to break through this stern Elche defence, who are nearing their third win in a row. Verdu attempts to find Juanfran with a through pass moments later, but once more Botia is across to clear the danger.
Both managers are prowling the touchline as we enter the final 20 minutes of football. Betis have had more of the ball in the second period, but have not really made their man advantage count. Cedrick causes problems in a wide area moments later before delivering a dangerous cross into the box, but Suarez heads clear of the box.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with Elche keeping hold of the ball in their own half. A loose pass from Marquez presents the ball to Juan Carlos moments later, but a free kick is awarded for a foul on Botia. The frustration is starting to grow from those involved with Betis.
CHANCE! Opportunity for the home side to level as Juan Carlos finds some space inside the Elche box, but he cannot clip his effort over Herrera. Elche are down the other end with Mantecon moments later, but the Spaniard hands possession straight back to the Betis goalkeeper.
Elche make their second change of the evening as Sanchez replaces Marquez for the final 10 minutes or so. Sanchez's first task is to defend a free kick and he answers the call with a towering header inside his own box. Time is just starting to run out for the home side this evening.
Betis have had plenty of the ball in the second period, but they have not asked too many questions. The home side continue to whip crosses into the box, but Elche have been impressive in the air all evening. Amaya has a heading chance moments later, but Herrera is on hand to collect the danger.
Sanchez has been sensational since coming on for Elche, with the Colombian international putting out fires all over the pitch. In truth, Betis do not look capable of turning this one around at the moment with the away side comfortable in dealing with the threat. Little over five minutes of normal time remaining.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Elche to put this game beyond Betis as Mantecon advances into the home side's box, but his low effort is saved by Sara. The Argentine has just kept his side in this match. Elche make their third and final change moments later as Boakye replaces Coro.
Betis continue to force the issue with a series of long balls into the Elche box, but the away side continue to clear the danger. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes at the end of the 90. Can Elche hold on?
Amaya is playing as a striker for Betis at the moment as the home side continue to launch high balls into the box, but Herrera has been sensational in coming for those this evening. A series of pin-ball follows in the Elche box, but Sanchez manages to clear. Little over one minute of time remaining.
POST! Wonderful chance for Paulao to level for Betis in the final minute, but his thumping header comes off the post following a deep cross from Verdu. That could be just about that for this one.
FULL TIME: Betis 1-2 Elche
So there we have it. Elche make it three wins in a row with a 2-1 win over Betis, whose struggles continue. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to stick with us for Valladolid against Sevilla. Until then!
