La Liga: Sevilla 3 Mallorca 1

Three goals in 17 minutes just after the break saw Sevilla earn a vital 3-1 win over Mallorca on Monday at Sanchez Pizjuan in La Liga action.

A scoreless first half had both teams feeling confident of earning a victory, but brilliant finishes by the hosts put things out of reach before the visitors could get on the board.

Sevilla, who boosted their chances of European football with the win, managed to earn their third straight league victory, all of which saw them score three goals.

The opening goal came five minutes after the half-time break.

From a corner and with numerous players at the front post, Alvaro Negredo managed to flick on a cross from Jose Antonio Reyes, finding the far side of the goal.

Just over 10 minutes later, the hosts made it 2-0 thanks to Manuel del Moral. He was sent through into the left side of the box with a smooth pass from Navas, before finishing at the right side with a soft shot that hit the post before entering.

The fans only had to wait five more minutes for the third goal as Sevilla put the match out of reach. Navas started the attack with a pass to the left for Reyes.

The former Arsenal man played a perfect, low ball to the far post to split several defenders and find Navas, and the star midfielder finished with little trouble past the Mallorca custodian.

The visitors managed to get one back after Tomer Hemed put away a cross from Pablo Caceres at the near post 17 minutes from time, but the dramatic comeback did not come to fruition as Sevilla earned the quality victory by containing the Mallorca attack for the rest of the match.

Next up, the islanders, who are in 13th place with remain with 36 points, host Granada. Sevilla, who are in eighth with 42 points, tackle Athletic Bilbao.