Deyverson on target as Alaves climb further clear of danger

Alaves pulled nine points clear of the bottom three as Deyverson's fifth LaLiga goal of the season earned them a 1-0 victory at home to Real Betis on Friday night.The Basque side had the better of the first period, but it took until just before the hour mark for them to forge ahead as Gaizka Toquero's angled pass bisected the Betis defence and Deyverson finished deftly with the instep of his left boot.The result allowed Alaves to pull three points clear of their opponents and moved them up a place to 12th.The first half was all Alaves. Victor Camarasa was the first to threaten as he retrieved an over-hit corner, but screwed a shot into the side-netting after a lacklustre first quarter of the game.Betis goalkeeper Antonio Adan was called upon to punch clear a Toquero cross, clattering into Deyverson in the process, before he comfortably gathered a poked effort by Ibai Gomez with five minutes of the half to go.Gomez tried to turn provider just before the break with a cross from the left, but Deyverson's scissors-kick was just off-target.Ruben Castro missed a glorious chance to put Betis in front two minutes into the second period, but Fernando Pacheco came out to block his effort, and Deyverson made no mistake in the 59th minute as he applied a neat finish to Toquero's searching ball.Pacheco was called on again to field a curling Castro free-kick but Alaves were worthy of just their second home win from eight at home in LaLiga this season.