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Sevilla climbed above Atletico Madrid and into top spot as Steven Nzonzi's cool finish sealed a tight game at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.
The home side were just about worth the 1-0 win which maintains their 100 per cent home record in LaLiga after five matches as Jorge Sampaoli got one over on fellow Argentinian coach Diego Simeone.
Samir Nasri's creativity was key in a tight contest played out in driving rain as the Andalusians recorded a fifth straight win in all competitions and inflicted Atleti's first league defeat of the season.
Atletico's defence was incensed in the 14th minute when Vitolo hurled himself to the ground in the penalty area despite Stefan Savic making no contact with him. Soon afterwards Nzonzi's header from close range was comfortably held by Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
The visitors possessed a threat too, and Sevilla number one Sergio Rico had to be alert to block a low shot from Kevin Gameiro after his clever movement was matched by a cute pass from Antoine Griezmann to release him.
The game was light on chances but heavy on intrigue, with Sevilla's intricate approach work well contained by Simeone's expertly drilled defence.
Angel Correa missed a glorious chance for Atletico with six minutes of the half remaining. Diego Godin's ball from the halfway line was flicked on by Gameiro to release Correa in behind, but the Argentinian's effort was weakly sliced wide.
Things got worse for Correa, who was then booked for a trip on Vitolo and replaced by Nico Gaitan at the break.
Nasri, who was booked right at the end of the first half, struck the post with the first opening of the second period.
The on-loan Manchester City player exchanged passes with Franco Vazquez and Luciano Vietto to create an opening and his right-foot shot had the beating of Oblak but bounced out off his right-hand post.
The Slovenian goalkeeper then produced a stunning reflex save to block a half-volley from Vitolo in the 52nd minute as Sevilla's pressure mounted.
Gameiro tried to respond for Atletico with a shot from a tight angle which hit the side-netting and Atletico began to exert their authority again.
The French forward made way for Fernando Torres after 65 minutes and Rico parried away a Filipe Luis strike from the edge of the area seconds later after more good probing from Griezmann.
The deadlock was finally broken after 72 minutes. Vietto's clipped ball allowed Nzonzi to race clear of Savic and Gabi and the former Stoke and Blackburn man finished calmly with a low side-footed effort past Oblak to send the sodden Sevillan masses wild.
Atletico's uphill task got even harder as Koke was shown a second yellow card in the 77th minute for a lunge on Adil Rami.
Vazquez dragged a left-foot shot wide with six minutes left and Godin's header from six yards was comfortably held by Rico as the game slipped beyond the visitors.
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ATL
