In this battle of relegation zone dwellers, Sevilla were confident of building on their midweek Europa League victory over Fenerbahce by beating a visiting side that hadn’t won away in the league all season.
That looked like changing though, when Josa Angel Pozo came back to haunt his former side, supplying a wonderful cross that was volleyed in by Sergio Akieme. He celebrated his first goal of the season with all due vigour, but that was to be Akieme’s last contribution of the game, as he came off moments later alongside El Bilal Toure, with both men injured.
That forced visiting boss Rubi to send on youngsters Largie Ramazani and Alex Centelles inside just 15 minutes, potentially shifting the tide back in Sevilla’s favour. And the casualties didn’t end there, as the Sevillistas’ goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was also forced off in a first half marred by injuries when he clashed with teammate Alex Telles just before the break.
Not deterred despite the loss of their first-choice stopper, the hosts finally equalised during six minutes of first-half stoppage time, when Almeria’s Pozo went from hero to villain after bringing down Telles in the area. Lucas Ocampos prevailed from 12 yards to make it 1-1 at the interval.
After finishing the opening 45 minutes strongly, Sevilla came out after the restart half-asleep, and Joan Jordan gave the ball away to Luis Suarez, allowing the Colombian clean through on goal. Luckily for Jordan, replacement goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic produced a brilliant save to put Suarez’s effort round the post.
The hosts grew into the half regardless and deservedly took the lead with 20 minutes remaining when Bryan Gil did brilliantly to find space on the wing and send a fantastic cross towards Erik Lamela. He made no mistake with a header, making it two goals in as many games.
After taking the lead thanks to a second strike from their Argentine contingent, the hosts defended for their lives and had Dmitrovic to thank for steering them to a vital victory after saving another close-range Suarez effort with moments remaining.
The 2-1 victory takes the Sevillistas up to 13th and three points ahead of Almeria, who slip down to 19th place.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Lucas Ocampos (Sevilla)