Sevilla extend unbeaten run with victory over Las Palmas

Sevilla boosted their chances of European qualification as they stretched their unbeaten run to 12 matches with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Las Palmas at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.Unai Emery's team endured a frustrating opening hour against Las Palmas, but they eventually turned on the style and ran out winners thanks to goals from Kevin Gameiro and Ever Banega.The victory keeps Los Rojiblancos in fifth position in the Primera Division, eight points behind Villarreal and five ahead of Athletic Bilbao, who lost to Real Madrid on Saturday.Despite being overwhelming underdogs, Las Palmas started strongly. Pedro Bigas went close with an early header and Sergio Rico had to be at his best to keep out David Garcia's header while Jonathan Viera wasted a good chance by clearing the bar.The hosts improved after the break, however, and after a period of sustained pressure, they took the lead in the 69th minute when substitute Vitolo set up Banega and he fired a left-footed shot into the top corner.Six minutes later, Sevilla doubled their lead. Again, Vitolo made the assist, teeing up Gameiro, who drove a low shot past Javi Varas.Las Palmas rallied briefly. Viera set up a chance for Mubarak Wakaso, but he placed a left-footed shot wide of Rico's goal at the death.Sevilla had chances to add a third, but they instead settled for a 2-0 win which keeps alive their faint hopes of Champions League qualification and leaves Las Palmas in the bottom three, one point from safety with 14 matches left.