Live Commentary: Real Valladolid 1-1 Sevilla - as it happened

 

TEAMS:

VALLADOLID: Jaime; Rukavina, Valiente, Balenziaga, Rueda; Ebert, Rubio, Oscar, Perez; Larsson, Guerra

SEVILLA: Palop; Maduro, Navarro, Fazio, Coke; Cala, Rakitic, Hervas; Reyes, Negredo, Navas

0 minSo there we have it. Quick word on the main team news. No Manucho for the home side this afternoon, but Javi Guerra does start in attack alongside Larsson. Sevilla, meanwhile, are without Geoffrey Kondogbia, with Javi Hervas handed a rare start. Right, the home side get the action underway on this mild afternoon in Spain.

2 minNot a full house inside the stadium, but there is certainly a good atmosphere. In truth, neither side has much to play for in the latter stages of the season. A solid run of results could move Sevilla into European contention, but it is a big ask. Plenty of challenges flying in from both sides in the early stages of proceedings.

4 minCala becomes the first player to have his name taken for a late challenge on Ebert, who had made a run down the right. The German takes the resulting free kick, but Fazio rises to clear the danger. The pressure remains as Larsson feeds a low pass towards Oscar moments later, but the Spaniard just cannot find space in a crowded penalty area.

6 minGood pressure from Sevilla in the last couple of moments with Fazio and Coke both coming close with headers, but Jaime is fairly comfortable dealing with the danger. Negredo is the target from a Navas cross moments later, but it is just too powerful for the Spaniard. Bright opening six minutes, but no real chances for either side thus far.

8 minHalf-chance for the home side as Ebert takes on a free kick outside the Sevilla box. However, the German's effort is just high of the crossbar. There is no question that Valladolid have missed his presence this season, with the midfielder spending a large part of the campaign on the sidelines. Sevilla are just struggling to keep possession with eight minutes on the clock.

10 minFirst real sign of Reyes as the Sevilla winger collects possession on the right before driving a low cross into the box, but Jaime is across to quell the danger. The pressure continues as Navas delivers a similar cross from the opposite side, but Negredo's header never had enough power to keep the goalkeeper.

12 minBoth managers are very animated on the sidelines in the early stages of proceedings, but there is almost the sense of an end of season type of fixture. Slightly scrappy period of the match in the last few moments, meanwhile, with the referee called into action to deal with a number of challenges. A free kick does come into the Valladolid box from Rakitic, but Valiente heads clear.

15 minNot too much for either set of supporters to get excited about at the moment with both sides guilty of losing possession in the final third. Sevilla have just started to test Valladolid in the wide areas, but the home side have been equal to the threat thus far. Larsson tries his luck from distance for Valladolid, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar.

17 minAgain Larsson is involved for the home side as he combines with Guerra before curling an effort towards the top corner, but Palop is on hand to make the save. Negredo attempts to force the issue down the other end moments later, but the Spanish striker cannot find space in a crowded box. Still no real chances for either side with 17 minutes on the clock.

19 minGood possession from Valladolid as they continue to enjoy the ball in their own half, but Sevilla will not be overly concerned with the threat they have faced thus far. Oscar does provide a piece of quality as he delivers a ball towards Guerra, but Fazio clears. It is strange that Manucho is not playing with the amount of high balls that have been played into the box.

22 minReally scrappy period of the match in the last few moments as the challenges continue to fly in. However, the referee has been on hand to calm proceedings when necessary. Negredo attempts to fashion a chance as he comes deep to collect the ball before spinning behind, but the pass from Hervas never had enough power to reach the striker.

24 minSevilla have just started to take control of the possession in the last few moments with Cala, Hervas and Rakitic enjoying periods with the ball. However, we have not seen too much from Reyes and Navas in a wide position. Perez tries his luck from distance moments later, but his effort moved wide of Palop's post.

26 minHalf-chance for the home side this time as Guerra collects a pass from Ebert before striking an effort from close range, but Valiente is across to make a fine block. The pressure continues as Larsson feeds Rueda outside the box, but the Spaniard can only fire high and wide of the post.

28 minIn fairness to the home supporters, they are making a deafening noise inside the stadium despite the lack of action on the pitch. Thankfully we have not yet seen a Mexican wave, which is a clear sign that the action is not quite up to the expected standard. Still no real chances for either side with 28 minutes on the clock. The game is crying out for a goal.

31 minIt would be no exaggeration to say that the ball has spent more time in the air than on the ground in the last couple of moments. Sevilla do have the ball in the back of the net as Negredo collects a pass from Rakitic before scoring from close range, but the referee spots the linesman's flag. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining.

33 minAnother misplaced pass brings a huge groan from the crowd as Rubio loses possession in the middle of the park. Navas attempts to break, but the Spaniard is immediately challenged by Ebert, who has been his side's best player thus far. Just a reminder that it is seven months since Sevilla have won on the road in the league.

35 minNegredo attempts the spectacular as he volleys an effort from just inside the opposing half, but Jaime is on hand to make the save. Another half-chance arrives to Fazio moments later as the defender meets a loose ball in the box, but the Valladolid stopper is on hand to make a fine save to his left.

38 minSevilla are certainly on the front foot at the moment with Navas and Reyes seeing more of the ball. However, the pair have just been unable to find that elusive pass in the final third. Negredo remains the target as he hovers in the box, but Valiente and Balenziaga have been solid thus far. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining.

40 minIt's Valladolid's turn to attack as Ebert launches another dangerous free kick into the box, but Fazio is on hand to clear. Another free kick follows moments later, but Reyes blocks, even though the Spaniard was just about five yards away when it was taken. Not too much for either set of supporters to get excited about thus far this evening.

41 minGOAL! Valladolid 1-0 Sevilla (Guerra)

42 minFirst blood to Valladolid! Well, there has been a distinct lack of quality thus far, but it had to be Ebert that provided the piece of brilliance. The German slides a wonderful ball to Guerra, who finishes past Palop. What a time to open the scoring.

44 minIt is harsh on Sevilla, but they have been guilty of missing a few guilt-edged chances. There is no question that Ebert has been the best player on the pitch by quite a sizeable distance. Larsson threatens down the left moments later, but Navas is across to quell the Swede.

45 minSevilla attempt to respond as Navas beats two defenders before finding Rakitic in the box, but the midfielder's effort never had the power to trouble Jaime. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half.

45 min+1HALF-TIME: Valladolid 1-0 Sevilla

6.46pmWell, Sevilla have been here before that is for certain. They have been so impressive on their own patch this season, but have not won on the road for seven months, when they overcame Deportivo. The first real piece of quality provided the opening goal with Guerra finishing off an Ebert pass after 41 minutes.

6.51pmSTATISTICS: The home side have just shaded the possession with 53%, while both sides have had three attempts. However, Valladolid's only attempt on target brought the opening goal, while Sevilla's two efforts on target were both tame. It has been an extremely low-key 45 minutes of La Liga football.

6.56pmBENCH WATCH: Both sides have attacking options on the bench if either manager should decide to make a change. Valladolid could call upon the likes of Omar, Alberto Bueno, Lluis Sastre or Manucho, while Sevilla have Baba Diawara and Manu del Moral in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players.

46 minHere we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side which is not too surprising at this stage of events. As it stands, Valladolid would move into 12th, while Sevilla would remain 11th. Right, the away side get the half underway.

48 minJust a reminder that Sevilla have taken just three points from their last possible 33 on the road, a truly terrible record for a team with such pedigree. Half-chance for the away side in the early stages of the half as Negredo meets a long ball from Reyes, but the extra touch allows Jaime out to quell the danger at the vital moment.

50 minThe lively start to the second period continues as Ebert's run is spotted by Guerra, but the German just cannot make contact with the cross. Another half-chance arrives moments later as Perez curls an effort towards the top corner, but it moves high and wide of the crossbar.

52 minOscar attempts to force the issue down the right moments later as he collects possession before driving a cross towards Larsson, but the Swede just cannot make proper contact. You cannot help but think that Sevilla are not the same team without Kondogbia, who gives them such presence in midfield. That is the biggest compliment that can be paid to the young French midfielder.

54 minSevilla attempt to build from the back of Fazio combines with Coke before Cala collects possession in midfield, but the Spaniard just cannot find a teammate in the final third. Navas is involved moments later, but his cross is blocked by Valiente. Good spell for the away side, but the score remains 1-0.

56 minIt must be said that the pitch is in top-notch condition for this stage of the season, with the home side making use of the surface. Another counter almost brings Valladolid's second goal as Ebert finds Guerra outside the box, but his effort is neither here nor there as it finds the hands of the goalkeeper.

58 minCHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the away side as Negredo meets a Navas cross, but his header is pushed away by the impressive Jaime. Wonderful movement from the powerful striker, but he could not find the back of the net. You simply have to take those chances at this level.

61 minLittle under 30 minutes of football remaining in Valladolid, with the home side still leading courtesy of that finish from Guerra five minutes before the interval. Sevilla are offering an attacking threat, however, with Negredo causing problems with his movement, but Reyes and Navas have been too inconsistent for large spells. I suspect we could see some changes in the next five minutes or so.

61 minHalf-chance for the away side once more as Navas meets a cross from Negredo, but Balenziaga is across to make a fine challenge. Sevilla do indeed make a change as Alberto Moreno replaces Cala. Still no movement on the Valladolid bench, but Manucho is the obvious option. Can Sevilla force an equaliser?

62 minAgain Navas is the target for Rakitic as the Croatian finds the winger down the right, but once more Balenziaga is across to make a fine challenge. The resulting corner also causes problems, but Jaime comes through traffic to clear the danger, before Coke is quelled by Rueda.

62 minPENALTY TO SEVILLA!

62 minGOAL! Valladolid 1-1 Sevilla (Negredo)

63 minThe away side level from the spot as Negredo thumps his effort straight down the middle. It is harsh on Valiente, however, who is adjudged to have handled in the penalty area. In truth, the ball travelled no distance at all before striking his hand.

65 minSevilla make their first change of the match as Perotti replaces Hervas, who has just struggled to make an impact. Still no movement on the Valladolid bench, which does seem strange. Perotti almost makes an immediate impact as he thumps an effort from distance, but it is wide of the post.

68 minValladolid do indeed make a change as Alberto Bueno replaces Larsson, who has just tired in the second period. You just get the feeling that there is going to be a winner in the latter stages, but who wants it more? Little over 20 minutes of football remaining in Valladolid.

70 minCROSSBAR! Wonderful counter attack from the home side as Guerra finds Ebert in the box, but the German can only rattle his effort against the crossbar. What a chance to take the lead with 20 minutes remaining. The atmosphere has just moved up a notch or two in the last few minutes.

72 minAnother half-chance for Ebert as he strikes an effort from distance, but this time Palop is on hand to make the save. Just a reminder that following the completion of this match we have action from Real Sociedad against Valencia, with a place in the top four on offer. Little under 20 minutes of football remaining.

75 minManucho is being put through a rigorous warm-up at the moment which suggests that we will see the former Manchester United striker in the latter stages. Again Ebert causes problems for Sevilla, but his low cross is too powerful for Guerra. It has been suggested that Ebert will join Atletico Madrid next season. If so, they have signed some player.

77 minCHANCE! Another wonderful opportunity for the away side as Perotti finds Negredo inside the box, but the Spanish striker can only clip his effort wide of the post. You just get the feeling that he will have some say in the final 10 minutes or so. Will we have a winner?

80 minBueno is next to try his luck as he collects possession outside the box, but Palop was always comfortable dealing with the danger. Another half-chance arrives moments later as Rukavina delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but Fazio is on hand to clear the danger. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining in Valladolid.

82 minHalf-chance for the away side this time as Navas collects possession outside the box before striking an effort towards the bottom corner, but Jaime is across to make the save. Coke has an opportunity from a Reyes corner moments later, but the Spaniard can only turn wide of the post.

84 minAlmost a costly mistake from Fazio as the Sevilla defender slips at the vital moment, but Bueno just cannot gather possession. Negredo has a strike from close range down the other end, but Jaime is on hand to make the save. Little over five minutes remaining with the two sides still level at 1-1.

86 minCHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Ebert finds Guerra in the box, but somehow the Spaniard clips over the crossbar when it looked easier to score. Again the threat comes from Ebert, who has been wonderful this evening. Will Valladolid be made to regret that missed chance?

88 minNeither side is settling for the point as players continue to flood forward, but it just isn't falling in the final third. Meanwhile, the tempo has just been interrupted by a host of challenges in the last few moments. Little over two minutes of normal time remaining. However, you just get the feeling that we could have late drama.

90 minReyes is in all sorts of bother here as he leaves the pitch on a stretcher. The Spaniard is replaced by Israel Puerto, who is making his debut for the club this afternoon. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of stoppage time.

90 min+3Not too much to report in the final couple of moments with neither side offering too much in the final third. Valladolid continue to fire high balls into the box, but the referee stops play by awarding a free kick to Sevilla. Little under one minute of stoppage time remaining.

90 min+3FULL-TIME: Valladolid 1-1 Sevilla