Athletic Bilbao travelled to Sevilla on Sunday looking to consolidate fourth position in the La Liga table.
Alberto Moreno handed Sevilla an early lead, but Bilbao were level moments later when Markel Susaeta tapped home from close range.
Both sides had opportunities in the second period, but neither could make the breakthrough with the points shared in an entertaining contest.
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 the Estadio Ramon as Sevilla welcome Athletic Bilbao. The home side have taken 12 points from their last six matches to move into eighth spot in the table, but they are up against a team that overcame Barcelona in their last league fixture.
Bilbao’s 1-0 win over the Spanish champions moved them into fourth spot in the table. Much of their success this season has been down to their form at San Mames, but they have lost four times on the road. Sevilla, meanwhile, have won four of their seven league games in this stadium this season.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Bilbao have won four of the last five, with Sevilla also winning once during that period of matches. As mentioned, the corresponding fixture last season ended in a 2-1 Sevilla win, but Bilbao were winners by the same scoreline on their own patch in November 2012.
TEAMS:
SEVILLA: Beto; Diogo, Cala, Fazio, Navarro; Mbia, Carrico; Vitolo, Reyes, Moreno; Bacca
ATHLETIC BILBAO: Iraizoz; De Marcos, Gurpegi, Laporte, Balenziaga; Iturraspe, Rico; Herrera, Muniain, Susaeta; Toquero
So there we have it. Carlos Bacca will lead the line for Sevilla this evening, while Alberto Moreno will operate in an advanced area. There are also starts for Vitolo and Jose Antonio Reyes. Bilbao, meanwhile, name Oscar de Marcos at right-back. Ander Herrera and Iker Muniain also both start. Right, the home side get the action underway on this mild evening in Seville.
Three successive wins for Sevilla has aided suggestions that they could yet make a push for the top four. Another win this evening would be another boost that is for certain. Bilbao currently sit fourth and enter the match on the back of a fine run of form. As expected, plenty of intensity and challenges inside the opening two minutes at the Estadio Ramon.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. There is a real feel-food factor around Sevilla at the moment. Not too much to report in terms of chances thus far, but both sides are showing their attacking intent. Bacca is ruled offside moments later after a fine through pass from Moreno.
Moreno wants a penalty as the left-back goes down inside the box under contact from Iturraspe, but the referee is not interested and awards a corner, much to the frustration of the home supporters.
GOAL! Sevilla 1-0 Athletic Bilbao (Moreno)
Sevilla take the lead with four minutes on the clock as a corner is played short to Moreno, who thumps one into the bottom corner from just inside the box. Stunning from the Spanish international.
GOAL! Sevilla 1-1 Athletic Bilbao (Susaeta)
Oh my word. Bilbao level the scores less than one minute later as a terrible header from Fazio allows Toquero to take control inside the Sevilla box. The striker rolls it to Susaeta, who cannot miss from close range. We are level in Seville!
Well, two goals inside seven minutes. Not a bad opening to this contest that is for certain. Both of these sides are playing some really nice football at the moment, which has already been demonstrated in the early stages this evening. A glut of goals can be expected with the amount of attacking talent on display.
Finally time to take a breath after an explosive start to proceedings. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but Sevilla are enjoying more of the ball in the middle of the park. Bilbao remain a threat with the willingness of Toquero, while Susaeta is moving off the wing whenever he has the chance.
First sign of Muniain as the Bilbao attacker drives into the Sevilla box before attempting to find Herrera, but Beto is out to collect at the vital moment. Sevilla break down the other end moments later with Reyes, but the Spaniard loses possession outside the box. Still 1-1 with 14 minutes on the clock.
Another half-chance for Bilbao as Herrera slides a wonderful pass beyond the Sevilla defence, but Muniain is challenged by Cala at the final moment. The resulting set piece is delivered by Susaeta, but Beto comes to collect at the vital moment. Not too much from the home side as an attacking threat in the last couple of minutes.
CHANCE! Sevilla come close to their second as Vitolo strikes one from inside the box following good work from Moreno, but his effort is deflected just wide of the post. It has been some 18 minutes of La Liga football at the Estadio Ramon.
Good possession from Bilbao in the last couple of moments with the likes of Herrera and Rico enjoying plenty of the ball in the middle of the park. The latter attempts to force one towards Toquero moments later, but Beto is on hand to make the clearance. Strangely subdued atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment.
It is the Bilbao supporters making the noise at the moment with their side demonstrating a calmness in possession of the ball. Just a reminder that they currently sit in fourth position in the table and overcame Barcelona in their last league match. Susaeta drills another low cross into the box, but Fazio slices clear.
Opportunity for Bilbao to threaten from a free kick as Iturraspe is felled outside the box. The set piece is driven into the box by Herrera, but Mbia is on hand to make the block. One-way traffic at the moment with Bilbao forcing the issue as Muniain brings another smart save from Beto.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sevilla to take the lead as Fazio meets a corner from Vitolo, but somehow Iraizoz manages to push his effort wide of the post. The resulting corner also causes problems inside the area, but Laporte manages to clear.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with both sides committing to a number of challenges in the middle of the park. The home side have just upped the tempo in the last minute or two, but Bacca has struggled to keep hold of possession thus far. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
It hasn't quite happened for Reyes in the first period with the Sevilla midfielder losing possession twice in quick succession. It is an even contest at the moment with both sides threatening in the final third. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if we indeed have one - could be vital this evening.
Stop-start period of the match as the challenges continue to arrive from both sides. However, the referee is on hand to calm proceedings. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, with the two sides level at 1-1. Reyes delivers a free kick into the Bilbao box moments later, but Iraizoz comes a long way to claim.
A mistake from Mbia almost costs the home side as Toquero closes down the on-loan QPR midfielder, but the danger is cleared by Fazio at the vital moment. Sevilla break down the other end with Vitolo moments later, but the move breaks down when the Spaniard drives his cross into the arms of the Bilbao goalkeeper.
Moreno has been the best player on the pitch this evening as he continues to deliver low balls into the Bilbao box. The 21-year-old is now a full Spain international and has attracted a host of attention with his performances this season. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining. Not too much to report in terms of attacking pressure from either side.
Mbia has the ball in the back of the net for the home side, but the linesman chalks it off for offside. Replays have shown that it was indeed the correct decision. That has lifted the crowd, however, as we enter the final stages of the first period. It seems a long time ago that two goals arrived in the space of one minute.
More frustration for the home supporters as Reyes loses possession in the final third after driving down the left. It does appear that we will enter the interval with the two sides level at 1-1. Not too much from Bilbao as an attacking threat in the last five minutes or so. Toquero has been isolated at times.
PENALTY TO BILBAO!
SAVE! Beto saves the penalty from Susaeta! It was a harsh decision from the referee, with Bacca penalised for handball. What an end to the first period.
HALF TIME: Sevilla 1-1 Athletic Bilbao
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 1-1. Moreno sent Sevilla into an early lead, but Bilbao were level moments later when Susaeta converted from close range. The half ended up disappointment for Susaeta, however, as he missed from the penalty spot after Bacca had handled inside the area.
STATISTICS: Bilbao have had more of the possession with 68%, but they have managed just two attempts to Sevilla's three. In truth, a draw at this stage is just about a fair reflection of events on the pitch. There have been three yellow cards, meanwhile, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Perotti, Iborra, Jairo and Gameiro. Meanwhile, Bilbao have the likes of Benat, Ibai Gomez and Aduriz in reserve. There are certainly players that could influence proceedings from the sidelines.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from the Spanish capital as Atletico Madrid welcome Valencia. Be sure to remain with us for that one. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes underway at the Estadio Ramon.
You just get the feeling that the next goal - if we indeed have one - could be vital in terms of the final result. Bright start to the second period from the home side as Bacca breaks beyond Laporte, but Gurpegi is across to clear at the vital moment. The half-time interval has done nothing to quell the intensity.
Opportunity for Sevilla to threaten from a free kick as Reyes is felled by Balenziaga outside the box. The set piece is taken by Reyes, Mbia cannot make proper contact on the delivery. The on-loan QPR midfielder has proved a threat in the air this evening. Not too much from Bilbao as an attacking threat in the second half.
Better from Bilbao in the last couple of moments as they deliver a series of crosses into the Sevilla box, but the likes of Fazio and Carrico have been aerially dominant this evening. Juan Cala is called into action to deal with the power of Toquero moments later, but a foul is awarded. Even contest with 53 minutes on the clock at the Estadio Ramon.
Half-chance for Bacca as Moreno drives down the left before finding the Colombian, but his effort deflects high and wide of the crossbar. The resulting corner eventually finds Moreno on the edge of the box, but his effort is high and wide. Just a few signs that Sevilla are starting to raise the tempo this evening.
We are getting to the stage in the match where both managers will be thinking about changes. One thing is for certain, both teams have a wealth of attacking talent in reserve this evening. End-to-end football as half-chances arrive at either end, but neither goalkeeper has been really tested in the second period.
Good spell for Bilbao in the last couple of moments with the likes of Rico and Herrera prepared to join the attack at every opportunity. Laporte has a half-chance moments later following a corner from Susaeta, but the Frenchman's header is wide of the post. Still 1-1 with 59 minutes on the clock at the Estadio Ramon.
Just a reminder that three points for Bilbao would move them four points clear of fifth-place Villarreal. However, a win for Sevilla would move them into seventh and within touching distance of the Champions League positions. Much to play for in the remaining 30 minutes or so. It appears that the home side are going to look to their bench in the next minute or two.
Indeed Sevilla make the first change of the match as Iborra replaces Cala. That is an extremely positive change from Unai Emery. It will mean Carrico dropping into the back four. Still no movement on the Bilbao bench, but they have the likes of Aduriz, Ibai and Benat in reserve. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining.
Bilbao make a change of their own as Toquero is replaced by Aduriz, which is not much of a surprise. Neither manager is settling for a draw, although, in truth, that would not be the worst result for either side this evening. Not too much in terms of chances since the interval at the Estadio Ramon.
Herrera has a half-chance for Bilbao as he finds space on the edge of the box before striking an effort on goal, but Beto is on hand to make the save. Sevilla make their second change of the match moments later as Perotti replaces Reyes, who has struggled to influence proceedings this evening. Still no sign of Gameiro, which is a surprise.
Bilbao continue to force the issue in wide areas as Muniain drives down the left before delivering a low cross into the box, but Aduriz cannot make contact at the vital moment. You just get the feeling that there will be another goal in this match. Vitolo has a half-chance for Sevilla, but the Spaniard is challenged by Gurpegi at the vital moment inside the Bilbao box.
Diogo tries his luck from outside the box for Sevilla, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. The end-to-end period of the match continues as Aduriz finds some space inside the Sevilla area, but his shot is blocked by Fazio. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining with the two sides still level at 1-1.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with the challenges flying in from both sides. There has been a sense of ill-feeling in this match there is no question about that. Bilbao continue to look the side more likely to make something happen, but Sevilla remain such a threat on the counter attack.
Big penalty shout from Sevilla as Fazio's header appears to strike an arm inside the Bilbao box, but the referee is not interested. A period of pin-ball follows, but Bilbao do manage to clear. Bacca drives into the area moments later, but once more Laporte clears. Still 1-1 with 77 minutes on the clock.
Sevilla make their third and final change of the evening and it is a positive one as French striker Gameiro enters in place of Bacca, who has struggled to influence proceedings in the second period. Bilbao have a free kick outside the Sevilla area moments later, but Fazio heads clear under pressure from Aduriz.
Almost a clear opportunity for Bilbao as Herrera picks up possession in the middle of the park before sliding a pass towards Aduriz, but Fazio manages to clear at the vital moment. Sevilla break down the other end with Iborra, but the Spaniard does not have the pace to run away from Laporte, who has been impressive this evening.
Bilbao make their second change of the match with Ibai Gomez replacing Susaeta, who has scored and missed a penalty this evening. Neither side is settling for a point with both managers making attacking changes. You just get the feeling that there will be some late drama at the Estadio Ramon this evening.
Opportunity for Sevilla as Iborra's deep cross into the box causes all sorts of problems for Iraizoz, who comes and gets nowhere near a cross, but the referee does blow for a free kick. Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the second period and in truth, a point apiece would be a fair reflection of events in Seville this evening.
Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Atletico Madrid against Valencia so be sure to remain with us for live text coverage of that fascinating contest. Bilbao continue to force the issue with a series of deep crosses into the Sevilla box, but Fazio and Carrico have been aerially dominant this evening.
Half-chance for Aduriz as the Bilbao forward meets a cross from Gomez, but his header is just wide of the post. Bilbao make their third change moments later as Rico is replaced by San Jose. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Will we have late drama here?
FULL TIME: Sevilla 1-1 Athletic Bilbao
So there we have it. The points are shared at the Estadio Ramon as Sevilla draw 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Atletico against Valencia. Until then!
