Sevilla 1 - 0 Hercules - Rakitic sinks Hercules

Sevilla ended a disappointing week on a winning note with a 1-0 victory over Hercules - the Andalusians' first win in any competition in seven games.

Recent signing Ivan Rakitic's first goal for the club settled the match in Sevilla's favour, helping Gregorio Manzano's men to close the gap on sixth-placed Espanyol and the Europa League places to three points

Sevilla came into the fixture having suffered two morale-crushing defeats in the last seven days, going down to late goals against Racing Santander (3-2) in La Liga and then in the home leg of their Europa League last-32 tie against Porto (2-1).

However, Sevilla received a boost after seeing off a Hercules side who are now just two points above the relegation zone.

The hosts, who played well against Porto, were quickly on the charge at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium and Alvaro Negredo curled a shot against the crossbar in the eighth minute.

Luis Fabiano then went close before the two Sevilla strikers joined forces to help Rakitic break the deadlock in the 21st minute.

Luis Fabiano's ball into the edge of the area was chested down by Negredo into the path of Rakitic, who side-footed his shot past Juan Calatayud to put Sevilla in front.

That would turn out to be the only goal of the game, although Sevilla had several chances to increase their lead.

Federico Fazio and Negredo both headed opportunities over before the break before the latter went agonisingly close in the 68th minute after latching into a great through-ball from Frederic Kanoute, Calatayud just getting enough on the Spain international's shot to keep it out.

At the other end, Hercules striker David Trezeguet drew a superb save out of Javi Varas to prove the Alicante outfit were still a threat.

However, the visitors would come no closer than that in the closing stages as Sevilla, who play their second leg against Porto on Wednesday, held on for a potentially vital triumph.