Sevilla edge past 10-man Deportivo to continue impressive LaLiga start

Sevilla secured a fourth win in six LaLiga matches by beating Deportivo La Coruna 1-0, handing Antonio Hidalgo’s side their first defeat since returning to Spain’s top flight.

The result lifted Luis Garcia’s team into the top four, a striking change from last season, when Los Rojiblancos were involved in a dramatic relegation battle. Deportivo’s loss also ended their unbeaten start, which had lasted five matches.

Both teams began with attacking intent, although Sevilla’s early threat from a corner was comfortably dealt with by the Deportivo defence.

Yeremay Hernandez was central to the hosts’ lively start, combining neatly with his team-mates around the Sevilla penalty area. He repeatedly found promising positions but could not produce the final pass needed to create a clear chance.

The first effort on target came after 15 minutes, when Miguel Sierra collected the ball just outside the box and sent a shot towards the centre of the goal. Sevilla goalkeeper Leo Roman made a straightforward save.

Deportivo then appealed for a penalty after Hernandez raced on to a precise through ball and went down under pressure from Andres Lopez. The referee dismissed the claims, to the frustration of the home supporters.

Sevilla’s aggressive pressing caused problems whenever Deportivo attempted to build from the back. Their pressure nearly produced the opening goal when Lucas Stassin won possession and released Lucien Agoume. The French midfielder, however, was hurried into his finish and sent his effort comfortably wide of Roman’s left-hand post.

The teams went into half-time level, but Sevilla broke the deadlock soon after the restart.

Kiki Salas intercepted a pass and supplied Stassin, whose curling attempt was pushed away by Roman. The ball fell to Sierra, who struck a volley beyond the goalkeeper to put Sevilla ahead.

Deportivo’s afternoon worsened four minutes later when they were reduced to 10 men. Angelino was initially shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Sierra, whose involvement had just given Sevilla the lead.

The former Manchester City and Roma full-back caught the goalscorer on the back of the calf with his studs. Following a VAR review, the referee upheld the dismissal.

Sevilla had the opportunity to settle the match when Stassin broke forward during another swift counter-attack. Instead of passing to a team-mate with an almost certain chance to score, he chose to shoot, allowing Roman to make himself big and push the ball away.

Deportivo struggled to regain control after Angelino’s dismissal and were unable to mount a serious late challenge for an equaliser.

Miguel Loureiro was named Flashscore’s Man of the Match.