Sergio Ramos OWN-GOAL, Gives Barcelona All Three Points Against Sevilla After A 1-0 Win.

Sergio Ramos’s own goal handed his old enemy Barcelona a narrow 1-0 win over Sevilla on Friday night in La Liga, taking the Catalan gaints top of the table.

The former Real Madrid captain and legend returned to La Liga this summer, joining the Andalusians on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

The 37-year-old said this week he had planned a special goal celebration if he scored against Barca, but putting the ball in his own net was not part of the plan.

Heading into the encounter, The La Liga champions had history on their side, though, they have not lost a league game at home to Sevilla in over 20 years. During this period, Barça have won 17 of the 20 matches played at home between the two teams and draw three.

In fact, Sevilla have not won any of their last 15 meetings against Barcelona in La Liga, be it at home or away.

Sevilla head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar also did not have the best of records against Barça, as he is the manager with the most number of losses against the Catalans in La Liga (20).

Sevilla made themselves hard to break down at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, but with a little over 10 minutes to play, but veteran centre-back Ramos deflected Lamine Yamal’s header into his own net in the 76th minute to break the deadlock in a tight clash.

Ferran Torres crossed and Yamal headed down towards Fermin Lopez but the cross was intercepted by the back-tracking Ramos who who could do little to stop the ball from trickling over the line past Orjan Nyland in the Sevilla goal.  

The result ended Sevilla’s unbeaten run of four, while Barcelona remain one of only two Spanish teams, alongside Girona, who are unbeaten this season.

Barcelona’s hard-fought victory helped the Catalans overtake Girona at the top of the table, with their neighbours hosting third-place Real Madrid on Saturday. 

The Blaugrana dropped down to the third place in the table following the 2-2 draw against RCD Mallorca on Tuesday, with Girona and Real Madrid both winning their midweek fixtures to jump ahead.

Barca's manager Xavi Hernandez speaking after the game said: "We played very well in the game. We understood what the game required. We attacked well on the flanks, finding superiority. It was one of the best games of the season against a Sevilla that will be on top.

"The victory was deserved and should have come sooner."

"The problem has been the lack of finishing and effectiveness. We have to "have more courage and desire to score goals. It is an important victory that gives us provisional leadership."

On the winner by 16-year-old Lamine who really delivered in what was an engrossing match with fine margins, Xavi added: 

"Lamine was fresh, I thought he could make a difference and that's how it happened. The far post cross has arrived, which is something we always tell him and that we worked in training and it has helped us get the three points."

Xavi also says he won't be watching the huge game tomorrow between Girona and Real Madrid, who are now second and third; "I have a birthday to attend tomorrow so I won't be able to see it" he said. "But I'll be keeping an eye on what happens. In any case, today's win is the only part that we can control. We did our part of the job." 

Barcelona now turn their attentions back to the Champions League and a trip to Porto on Tuesday night.