Sevilla 1 - Celta 0

Sevilla: Palop; Daniel Alves, Escudé, Javi Navarro, David (Antonio Puerta 46'); Jesús Navas, Martí, Maresca, Adriano (Aitor Ocio 66'); Kanouté (Jordi 81'), Saviola. 4-4-2.
Celta: Pinto; Angel, Lequi, Sergio, José Enrique; Oubiña; Antonio Nuñez (Javi Guerrero 77'), Jorge (Jesús Perera 62'), Canobbio, David Silva; Baiano. 4-1-4-1.

Team changes: Sevilla: Escudé, Martí for Dragutinovic, Aitor Ocio / Celta: No change.

Goals:
1-0. 10. Saviola. Ran on to wide pass from Adriano and struck shot across keeper.

Sevilla narrowly defeated Celta in an entertaining match in the Sánchez Pizjuán between two clubs with European ambitions for next season.

Saviola gave an early warning of his intentions when he burst into box but he was halted by Canobbio. Celta's defence failed to heed the warning. The only goal of the game arrived after ten minutes when Adriano flicked the ball past Sergio and Saviola was on hand to tuck it past Pinto in the Celta goal.

Baiano had a great chance to equalise midway through the first half but after controlling the ball well on his chest he screwed his shot just wide of Palop's left hand post. Just after the half hour Saviola attempted to return the compliment to Adriano with an outrageous backheel but the Brazilian was flagged offside. Celta were on the rack at this stage as Sergio cleared for a corner with Kanouté about to pounce after an excellent cross from the right from Alves.

It was down the right side that much of the danger was being caused. Sevilla's young right winger Jesús Navas was again in outstanding form throughout the match. Celta's left back José Enrique is unlikely to have a more difficult night all season as he tried to cope with Navas's combination of pace, tricks and dangerous crosses. Just before half time Maresca should have put the home side two up just before half time after a Lequi error, but the Italian scuffed his shot across goal from close range.

Celta had more of the second half play but failed to find a way through the Sevilla rearguard. Early in the second half Canobbio sent Baiano through on goal but Palop stopped the Brazilian's shot with an outstretched foot. Celta almost equalised on 65 minutes after Palop handled outside the box. But the goalkeeper redeemed himself with spectacular save from the resulting free kick from Nuñez.

But Sevilla had plenty chances of their own. Another Maresca effort was deflected wide following some Navas trickery on the right. Then Angel blocked an Adriano volley with his face after a penetrating Navas cross. Sevilla almost clinched the game when Kanouté just failed to connect after a mazy run on the left by the substitute Puerta. At the other end, Palop again did well to keep out a cheeky chip from substitute Javi Guerrero with fifteen minutes to go. But the home side continued to create the better chances. Saviola was twice set up by Navas but failed to hit the target and Pinto parried away a Jordi effort in a lively finish to the game.