Sevilla ended a three-match winless run by beating Osasuna 2-0 at home, strengthening their position in LaLiga’s top six and extending the visitors’ poor record at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.

Osasuna have now won only one of their past 18 visits to the ground, drawing three and losing 14. Their latest defeat also halted head coach Jagoba Arrasate’s hopes of following up his successful return with a second consecutive victory, after his side had beaten Racing Santander 2-0 in his first match back.

The visitors had an early opportunity to take the lead when Flavien Boyomo, left unmarked from a corner in the fourth minute, headed wide. Sevilla responded three minutes later, but Felix Correia failed to find the target with a volley from inside the penalty area.

Ante Budimir then wasted another promising chance for Osasuna before Sevilla produced the game’s first decisive moment in the 24th minute.

Youssouf Fofana cleverly flicked Correia’s pass into the path of Isaac Romero, who finished confidently beyond Aitor Fernandez for his third goal of the season. The strike made Romero Sevilla’s leading scorer, while the club’s 15 LaLiga goals at that stage had been scored by 12 different players.

The goal also continued Osasuna’s difficulty in taking the initiative. They have opened the scoring in only three of their past 13 matches.

Sevilla took control after going ahead, although Castrin fired over from 12 yards before Chidera Ejuke forced Fernandez into a low save. The hosts appeared to lose some of their momentum after half-time, with a scrappy opening to the second half featuring a series of fouls and increasing frustration among the home supporters.

They began to threaten again midway through the half. Fernandez tipped Fofana’s long-range free-kick behind for a corner, while Juan Iglesias struck the post with a volley moments later.

Osasuna’s goalkeeper was again called upon late on, making an excellent save to deny Kike Salas’ header. However, he could do little eight minutes before the end when Correia’s shot took a deflection and found the net for his second goal of the season, securing the points for Sevilla.

The result leaves sixth-placed Sevilla two points behind fifth-placed Real Sociedad. It also represents their fifth successive home victory against a side outside LaLiga’s ‘big three’ of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Osasuna remain 12th and have won only one of their last 12 away matches, drawing two and losing nine.

Youssouf Fofana was named Flashscore’s Man of the Match.