Renato's late strike gave Sevilla an unconvincing 1-0 win over promoted side Numancia tonight and saw the Andalusians move provisionally into second place after 19 rounds of the championship.
The Brazilian midfielder struck with nine minutes left to wrap up a barely-deserved victory against a Numancia side who had missed a host of chances in the first 45 minutes and been reduced to 10 men shortly after half-time.
Sevilla came into this match on a high after beating Deportivo La Coruna three times in a week.
The two sides met twice in the Copa del Rey and once in the Primera Liga, with the Andalusians coming out on top each time.
Manolo Jimenez's men started the day in third, behind second-placed Real Madrid on goal difference alone.
But they had failed to beat bottom club Osasuna in their last home match and struggled to break down Numancia in the early stages of this encounter.
Sergio Kresic's side beat Getafe 2-0 last weekend to move up to 14th place in the table.
And the promoted outfit showed their new-found maturity early on as they absorbed Sevilla's attacks with relative ease.
They also created the first real chance of note after 17 minutes, when Sevilla keeper Javi Varas - in for the injured Andres Palop - did well to push away Asier Goiria's header following a corner.
A minute later, Numancia threatened again, but Varas foiled the visitors once more when he produced a fine save to keep out Jose Javier Barkero's powerful free-kick.
Sevilla were all over the place now and Numancia missed a glorious opportunity to take the lead after 25 minutes.
Goiria put through Gorka Brit with a defence-splitting pass, but the striker - one-on-one with Varas - wastefully blasted his effort over the bar.
Javier Del Pino missed another good chance for the visitors 10 minutes before the break as Sevilla continued to look inferior to the promoted outfit.
But the home side also had their moments before half-time, with Aquivaldo Mosquera and Frederic Kanoute both coming close.
Numancia began the second half with a flourish, though, and Varas was once again called into action to deny Goiria.
The balance of the game changed soon after that, however, when Domingo Cisma was sent off for a second bookable offense.
Now a man up, Sevilla began to dominate proceedings.
But the Andalusians were still struggling to break down Numancia.
The ineffective Kanoute was replaced by Ernesto Javier Chevanton after 63 minutes as Jimenez looked to the bench for inspiration.
The Ecuador striker was making his first appearance after spending three months on the sidelines through injury.
And it showed as he struggled to keep up with the pace of the game.
Luis Fabiano did almost provided the moment of inspiration needed with 16 minutes remaining, but his stunning overhead kick sailed just wide.
And just when it looked as if it would not be their day, Sevilla grabbed a late winner through Renato.
Boris failed to clear Jesus Navas' cross and the ball fell to the Brazilian, who swept home a low shot from six yards to win the match after 81 minutes.
Despite their unconvincing performance, Sevilla move provisionally into second place, where they sit three points clear of Real Madrid.
But the champions can reclaim second place by beating Osasuna on Sunday.
Numancia drop a place to 15th.
