Sevilla 2 - Athletic Bilbao 1

Sevilla: Notario; Daniel Alves, Escudé, Dragutinovic, David; Jesús Navas, Renato, Maresca (Jordi 62'), Adriano (Antonio Puerta 78'); Kanouté, Saviola (Aitor Ocio 46'). 4-4-2.
Athletic: Lafuente; Expósito (Dañobeitia 79'), Ustariz, Luis Prieto (Etxeberría 66'), Amorebieta; Iraola, Orbaiz, Gurpegui, Casas (Urzaiz 72'); Yeste; Aduriz. 4-4-1-1.

Team changes: Sevilla: Notario, Escudé, Renato for Palop, Javi Navarro, Jordi / Athletic: Luis Prieto, Amorebieta, Casas for Murillo, Etxeberría, Urzaiz.

Goals:
1-0. 17. Maresca (penalty). After Kanouté pushed in back by Amorebieta.
1-1. 21. Aduriz. Half hit shot from Yeste pass which ballooned over Notario.
2-1. 60. Kanouté. Picked up Maresca headed pass and struck angled shot into net.

Sevilla move back to the UEFA spots after losing out to Villarreal the day before, a 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao enough to take them up to sixth. Maresca gave the Andalusians an early lead with a controversial penalty after Kanouté fell under a challenge from Amorebieta, referee Rubinos Pérez waving away claims that it had been a 50/50 ball. But the visitors came back, Yeste bringing a good save out of Notario from a free kick before Aduriz equalised somewhat fortunately, his attempted shot ballooning in the air over the head of the keeper.

Kanouté came close to restoring the lead when he hit the bar ten minutes before half time, but seconds later his side were left with ten men when Dragutinovic was sent off for a second bookable offence. Juande Ramos sacrificed Saviola to bring on an extra defender at the break, but on the hour mark Maresca headed on a long ball by Alves for Kanouté to turn and beat Lafuente, again the goal being protested by the visiting players for a possible offside.

Javier Clemente went for broke after that, bringing on Etxeberría, Urziaz and Dañobeitia, but they were unable to break down a well ordered defence. The defeat was another blow for the Basque side, who once again find themselves down in the relegation zone.