Sevilla FC - Athletic Club

Athletic beat Sevilla 0-2 with an impressive dominant display to start 2024 on the right track. The Lions are now nine matches unbeaten in LaLiga, have registered a third straight win with a clean sheet and end the first half of the season in the Champions League places. 

Los Leones are flying and it is down to the work of Ernesto Valverde, who has built a solid side, capable of scoring goals and keeping it tight at the back.

Mikel Vesga put Athletic ahead with a majestic header, while Aitor Paredes, scoring his first goal as a Lion, put the cherry on top of Txingurri's 500th LaLiga game as a manager.

The Zurigorri came out intent on getting a win that would further boost their league campaign and leave them in the best possible shape ahead of next week's Basque Derby against Real Sociedad, for which a record attendance is expected at San Mames.

But before that, Athletic have another derby coming up as they take on SD Eibar at Ipurua in the Copa del Rey this Sunday.

Gorka Guruzeta had an early effort turned wide by Dmitrovic and moments later Alex Berenguer set up Nico Williams, whose shot went just wide.

Athletic patiently chipped away at a stubborn Sevilla defence before Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta put in a great cross for Vesga to head home - a great way for midfielder to celebrate his recent contract renewal and becoming a father!

Athletic almost made it 0-2 just after the start of the second half, Nico's shot hitting the crossbar before a goalmouth scramble in which Oihan Sancet and Nico could have scored.

Sevilla, who spent most of the match trying to keep the Lions at bay, had their only clear chance not long later, Unai Simón denying Kike Salas with a fantastic save.

Los Rojiblancos put the game to bed in the 75th minute when substitute Ander Herrera found Aitor Paredes at the far post, the centre-back tucking away the midfielder's cross with a classy right-footed strike to get his first goal as a Lion.

The thousand or so red and white supporters in Seville could not contain their joy as Athletic took three crucial points at a tough ground.