Sevilla climbed into La Liga's top four by recording a straightforward 3-0 victory over Cordoba in a feisty clash which saw both sides reduced to 10 men.
The visitors registered the first chance of the game as Edimar blasted an effort towards goal from outside the box, but the ball flew wide of the right-hand post.
Sevilla countered through Jose Antonio Reyes and Vicente Iborra, who saw their shots blocked and saved respectively, but Nabil Ghilas had two good chances on goal for the Caliphs midway through the first half.
Nevertheless, the hosts were able to impose themselves on the game and went on to take the lead in the 38th minute when Grzegorz Krychowiak nodded home from a Reyes corner.
On the stroke of half time, Carlos Bacca doubled his side's lead, Colombian bundling the ball into the net from close range.
Cordoba then all but destroyed their chances of mounting a comeback when Patrick Ekeng was shown a straight red card in the 54th minute for violent behaviour.
Parity was, however, restored in terms of men on the pitch 20 minutes later, with Krychowiak being dismissed for a foul on Rene Krhin.
Sevilla needed not worry about potentially capitulating because, just two minutes later, Iborra connected with Ever Banega's corner to head past Juan Carlos from two yards out and establish a three-goal advantage.
The hosts were able to see the game out comfortably and secure all three points to leapfrog Valencia into fourth place, while Cordoba remain in the drop zone, two points from safety.
Giuseppe Labellarte
