Sevilla 2 - Betis 2

Sevilla: Esteban; Daniel Alves (Redondo 53'), Javi Navarro, Alfaro, David; Casquero (Marcos Vales 61'), Martí; Baptista, Hornos (Antoñito 70'), Reyes; Darío Silva. 4-2-3-1.
Betis: Contreras; Varela, Juanito, Lembo, Luis Fernández (Rivas 65'); Marcos Assunçao, Arzu; Joaquín, Capi (Ito 91') Denilson; Tote (Fernando 67'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Sevilla: Esteban, Hornos for Notario, Marcos Vales / Betis: Tote for Palermo.

Goals:
1-0. 50. Reyes. Turned ball in on far post from Daniel Alves cross.
1-1. 52. Denilson. Header from close up after Joaquín bounced ball into area.
1-2. 60. Tote. Header on the run near to goal from Lembo's cross.
2-2. 80. Antoñito. Turned n pass from Marcos Vales to fire shot inside far post.

The first Sevilla derby of the season ended all square, with all four goals coming after the break as the lead changed hands twice. Both clubs had made a big effort to avoid the problems of last season, when crowd trouble at the two games had resulted in ground closures at each stadium, and for once the fans were able to talk about football and nothing else.

The early chances fell to the home side, but Hornos, making his first league start, was unable to repeat the form that got him a hat-trick in the cup. The Uruguayan striker shot wide early on and failed to take advantage on the half hour mark when Reyes set him up. At the other end Marcos Assunçao frightened Esteban with a couple of free kicks, but they too were not up to his usual standard.

Five minutes in to the second half Sevilla took the lead, Reyes getting on the end of Daniel's cross to volley in on the far post. Two minutes later Betis equalised, Denilson getting what he claimed was the first headed goal of his career after Joaquín's attempted shot bounced over to him on the far post.

That was a blow for the locals, and the visitors looked as if they were heading for a first win in the Sánchez Pizjuan stadium in seven years when Tote took advantage of his first start to head in Lembo's cross. But substitute Antoñito produced a moment of magic ten minutes from the end to shoot low across Contreras and end a point.

Nerves finally frayed after that, and referee Moreno Delgado was very lenient to let off Javi Navarro and Juanito as they swung punches at each other in the dying moments. But nobody wanted to spoil a good night, and for once football was the victor.