Goals from Raul Guti and Guido Carrillo moved Elche one point clear of the relegation zone as Sevilla lost their third game in a row in all competition.
Sevilla’s recent poor run of form continued on Saturday as they succumbed to a 2-1 loss away to Elche were able to crawl out of the relegation zone following a spirited display at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.
The visitors could not produce a single shot on goal in a woeful first-half performance and could only muster a goal in the dying moments of the match after the hosts had gone two goals ahead.
To their credit, Elche, despite seeing less of the ball, held on strong and produced a strong showing to head home with all three points in a game that will significantly aid their survival bid this season.
With no side currently threatening to oust them from their place in the top-four as they are now six points ahead of Real Sociedad in sixth place, Julen Lopetegui’s side have been guilty of complacency in recent times. They entered this tie on a two-game losing run and could not produce a shot on target in a drab first half that also saw Elche not attempt a shot on target.
But the visitors returned after the break with greater urgency. And after missing a glorious chance in the 55th minute took the lead with their second shot on target in the 70th as Raul Guti appeared unmarked in the box to smash home a lovely first time shot following a cut back from Fidel Chaves.
The hosts stunned their visitors again six minutes later, doubling their lead in the 76th minute with Guido Carrillo heading in a free kick in off the post and over the line before Tomas Vaclik in Sevilla goal could react.
The two-goal lead was the least the hosts deserved for a strong showing, despite seeing less of the ball.
Luuk de Jong pulled a goal back for the visitors with a fine header in the 90th minute, but the goal proved to be only a consolation as they could not find an equaliser in the five minutes added on.
