Sevilla 2-0 Mallorca

Sevilla moved into the top four following a routine 2-0 win at home to in-form Mallorca on Tuesday night.

Sebastien Squillaci gave the Andalusians the lead after 17 minutes and summer signing Diego Perotti added a second halfway through the first half to leave the home side in complete control.

They could have had more in a one-sided second half but easily did enough for a deserved three points which takes them into the top four ahead of Wednesday's matches.

Mallorca had gone into the game above Sevilla on points.

The islanders had looked in disarray in pre-season following much-publicised disputes off the pitch and are notorious slow starters.

But Gregorio Manzano's side came into the game on the back of two wins and a draw.

Sevilla were a point worse off despite winning their last two matches and saw this game as a chance to move closer to the leading pack in the fourth round of matches.

Manolo Jimenez's side were boosted by the return of Luis Fabiano in attack, but the Brazilian was quiet early on as the locals struggled to find their attacking fluency.

Unable to pass their way through the Mallorca defence, Sevilla duly took the lead through a more direct approach after 17 minutes.

Julien Escude flicked on from a corner and his compatriot and central defensive partner Squillaci rose above Bruno China to head past Dudu Aouate, who should have done better.

Aouate then came out to deny Luis Fabiano, but could do nothing to prevent the home side from going two up after 24 minutes, when Jesus Navas beat two Mallorca defenders and sent over a perfect cross for fellow winger Perotti to finish with ease from virtually on the line.

Navas and Luis Fabiano both came close to a third for Sevilla after that, but Mallorca also had a good chance to equalise just short of half-time, when Fernando Varela saw his effort well saved by Andres Palop.

After the break it was all Sevilla, though.

Ivan Ramis' last-ditch tackle denied Adriano shortly after the restart and substitute goalkeeper German Lux did well to save from Navas as Sevilla sought to turn the screw.

And they should have done as Squillaci fluffed an effort from close range and Alvaro Negredo was guilty of a glaring miss late on.

Mallorca also had their chances in the closing stages, when substitute Alhassane Keita twice should have done better from good positions.

But the home side deserved all three points and held on to claim them with relative comfort.