Sevilla 1-0 Real Valladolid
In the end, one goal was enough.
Enough to clinch a La Liga victory and climb to the summit ahead of the league’s established heavyweights.
Few SBOBET fans expect them to stay there and La Liga 2018 betting odds certainly do not believe in their longevity at the top.
But, for now, Sevilla are enjoying every moment.
Highlights of the game
Andre Silva proved the match-winner for Pablo Machin’s side at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
In a dominant first half showing, the Portuguese international midfielder headed home a cross from Pablo Sarabia, via the post, and that was all it took to see off mid-table opponents.
Machin had only last week publicly stated his desire to sign up Silva, on loan from Italian giants AC Milan, on a permanent deal.
And his proved the key moment as Sevilla took advantage of the main pacesetters cancelling each other out some 20 hours earlier.
It means Sevilla – whose sole league championship came in 1946 immediately after World War Two – will begin December on top of the table.
The Andalusians remained the dominant side for long spells but were unable to add to their advantage and in stoppage time it took a fine save from Czech international Tomas Vaclik to prevent an equaliser as he tipped the ball over the bar.
Before then, VAR had twice come to their rescue.
On the hour, substitute Enes Unai rifled home only for team mate Toni Villa to be deemed offside and obstructing Vaclik’s view.
Then Unai had the ball in the net again but was himself ruled offside as Sergio Gonzalez’s Valladolid – who have one of the best defensive records in the division and surprised many – slipped to a third successive game without a victory.
In truth, Sevilla could have had the contest won long before then.
Wissam Ben Yedder twice went close while Sarabia brought a good save out of visiting shot-stopper Jordi Masip.
There is no doubt that some of the top sides in Spain have stuttered so far this term.
There is also no doubt, in my mind, that this Sevilla side is not as talented as the side former boss Unai Emery guided to the 2016 Europa League success when the likes of Kevin Gameiro and Coke took centre stage.
Expectations were limited for how far the outfit, which finished seventh last term, could progress this season, especially when one-time Blackburn Rovers midfielder Steven Nzonzi and Clement Lenglet swapped Sevilla for Roma and Barcelona respectively, whilst Joaquin Correa left to join Serie A outfit Lazio in the summer.
Yet Ever Banega, Sarabia, Franco Vazquez et al are showing real consistency and Ben Yedderis producing more of the form previously only seen in bursts.
In addition, there is little pressure on a side which was not tipped to be at the sharp end of the table before a ball was even kicked.
It’s early days but Sevilla have already shown this season they can be a match for the best and the table further enhances that belief.
The fact they have also lost only one in their past nine suggests confidence is high.
Sevilla lead the pack on merit and no-one realistically expected that.
A third of the season gone and the fact the top four sides are only separated by three points suggests there’s many more La Liga 2018 highlights to come.
Key statistics
Silva’s 30th minute header was his eighth goal of the season.
It makes him the third joint top scorer in La Liga behind Girona’s livewire forward Cristhian Stuani (12), Barcelona duo Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez (nine) and Celta Vigo’s Spanish international Iago Aspas (also eight).
Sevilla are now unbeaten in seven games in all competitions.
Did you know that Valladolid are now owned by former Brazilian striker Ronaldo?
The last time Sevilla were top at this stage of the season was in 1945-46 when they went onto clinch the championship.
Top of Form
What’s next?
It’s off to Belgium now for Sevilla who meet Standard Liege in the Europa League on Thursday (November 29).
They then travel to face this season’s surprise package Alaves – who missed the chance to go top themselves this weekend – a week today (December 2).
Sevilla will then host minnows Villanovense in the Copa del Rey with the score deadlocked at 0-0 after the first leg.
Valladolid are next in action at home to Leganes on December 1 before they welcome Mallorca to town holding a 2-1 advantage from the first meeting.
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