Ganso nets brace vs. Granada as Sevilla inch closer to UCL spot

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Tony Adams saw his struggling Granada side record their second defeat since he took charge as a Ganso brace helped Sevilla take a big step towards securing the final Champions League spot following a 2-0 La Liga victory at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Ganso netted at the start of each half and the hosts held on to move level on points with third-placed Atletico Madrid and 11 points ahead of fifth-placed Villarreal.

The home side made a bright start as Ganso picked up Stevan Jovetic's assist from the edge of the box and found the top corner from close range to hand Sevilla a fourth-minute lead.

Adams was dealt another blow when Granada lost defender Matthieu Saunier to an injury moments after his side conceded the opener. He was replaced by teenager Martin Hongla.

Sevilla were unlucky not to find the net 10 minutes before the break when Mariano tried to place the ball inside the far post but sliced his shot across the goalmouth and just wide.

The hosts finally doubled their lead at the start of the second half when Pablo Sarabia set up Ganso with a neat cross, the Brazilian tapping in from three yards out after a great run forward.

Jovetic was unfortunate to miss a close-range header two minutes later, while Ganso was denied his hat trick when he forced goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa into a full-stretch save with a powerful effort from the edge of the 18-yard box.

Joaquin Correa had a goal ruled out for offside after 67 minutes and Sarabia fired a poor effort well wide eight minutes later as the home side continued to dominate.

Ezequiel Ponce had a great chance to pull a goal back for Granada with 10 minutes remaining but he sent Isaac Cuenca's through-ball wide.

Vicente Iborra was denied late on while at the other end Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez almost reduced the deficit, but the home side managed to keep a clean sheet to leave Adams' strugglers seven points from safety with five matches remaining.