Barcelona 1-0 Sevilla: Sergio Ramos own goal earns Xavi's side three points

Barcelona 1-0 Sevilla: Sergio Ramos own goal earns Xavi's side three points

The defender turned into his own net in the 76th minute at Montjuic

A Sergio Ramos own goal was the difference between Barcelona and Sevilla on Friday as Xavi's side returned to the top of the table with a 1-0 win at the Olympic Stadium. 

Sevilla defender Ramos scored the only goal of the game in his own net in the 76th minute when he turned home an Lamine Yamal knockdown from a Ferran Torres cross. 

The three points took Barça back to the top of the table for at least 24 hours, with the top two before the weekend, Girona and Real Madrid, meeting at Montlivi on Saturday. 

Xavi named an attacking side to face Sevilla, with Lamine, Joao Felix and Raphinha all lining up behind Robert Lewandowski. 

Barça created chances in the first half but could not find a way through, with Felix hitting the bar after great work from Joao Cancelo. 

On his return to his former side, Ivan Rakitic came closest for Sevilla, forcing Marc-Andre ter Stegen into a decent save. 

Barça continued to press after the break but could not find the opener, with Lewandowski wasting good chances after good passes from Felix and Fermin Lopez, who had replaced the injured Raphinha in the first half. 

The breakthrough finally arrived inside the final 15 minutes when substitute Ferran sent a good cross to the back post. 

Lamine nodded it down and Ramos turned it past his own keeper, much to the delight of the Barça fans, who sung the former Real Madrid centre-back's name ironically. 

Sevilla pushed for a late leveller but Barça saw out the game with possession, Ilkay Gundogan even coming close to a late second. 

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