Sevilla 2 - Athletic Bilbao 0

Sevilla: Esteban; Daniel Alves, Javi Navarro, Alfaro, David; Casquero (Torrado 84'), Martí; Sergio Ramos, Baptista, Antonio López (Redondo 78'); Antoñito (Carlos 46'). 4-2-3-1.
Athletic: Aranzubia; Lacruz, Luis Prieto, Karanka, Del Horno (César 66'); Iraola (Urzaiz 46'), Orbaiz (Jonan García 71'), Gurpegui, Yeste; Etxeberría, Ezquerro. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Sevilla: Sergio Ramos for Redondo / Athletic: Luis Prieto, Ezquerro for Javi González, Urzaiz.

Goals:
1-0. 38. Baptista. Came from behind to head Daniel's corner past Aranzubia.
2-0. 63. Baptista (penalty). After Del Horno tripped Daniel Alves in the area.

The race for the two UEFA cup spots was throw wide open when Sevilla beat fifth placed Athletic Bilbao 2-0. With a four point gap over their immediate rivals the Basque side were looking pretty sure of one of the berths, and they started well with Etxeberría shooting into the side netting and Ezquerro testing Esteban early on. But Baptista sent out a warning when he forced Aranzubia into a good save after Antoñito put him through, and a few minutes later the new Brazilian international opened the scoring when he headed home a corner from his fellow countryman Daniel Alves.

Both managers brought on a new centre forward at the break, Valverde adding Urzaiz to the attack and Caparrós replacing Antoñito with Carlitos. Athletic pushed forward from the off, with Luis Prieto and Etxeberría going close, but Carlitos could have increased the lead on a breakaway. And midway through the half the two Brazilians were involved again as Sevilla got a second goal, Alves winning a penalty and Baptista converting it for his seventh goal in three games. After that it was all over, and Athletic failed again in a ground where they have not won once in the last ten years. The win takes the Andalucians up to seventh place, now only two points behind Atlético Madrid and three below their opponents.