Sevilla survives scare

French defender Clement Lenglet gave Sevilla a deserved lead after half  an hour when he headed home from a corner after the home side had crafted a number of chances in a fast start. 

Spartak grew into the game and could have levelled before the break but Argentina midfielder Ever Banega doubled Sevilla’s advantage with a cracking left-footed shot from outside the area on the  hour mark. Spartak pulled a goal back with 13 minutes remaining to make for a nervy finish for Eduardo Berizzo’s side as striker Ze Luis converted on the rebound after Sergio Rico had parried an effort from Denis Glushakov. 

Sevilla climbed above Spartak into second in Group E on seven points, two clear of the Russian side with two games remaining and one behind leaders Liverpool, who it plays at the Sanchez Pizjuan later in the month. 

It was a far more assured performance from Sevilla than in the humiliating 5-1 thrashing it received in the Russian capital two weeks ago, when they collapsed in the second half and shipped four goals. Nolito came into the side at the expense of Jesus Navas and  gave the side an extra edge in attack.