With the Estadio Benito Villamarín undergoing refurbishment, Real Betis started their two-year residency at La Cartuja against an Alaves side full of confidence following a dramatic 2-1 win over Levante on matchday one.
After netting a late winner last weekend, the visitors threatened to net an early opener when Jon Guridi drew Pau Lopez into a desperate save inside the first two minutes.
Los Verdiblancos ultimately recovered from their nervy start to hit the front through Giovani Lo Celso, who tucked the ball home after it kindly broke to him in the six-yard box from Cucho Hernandez’s blocked header.
Alaves were unable to produce a response before the break, and they nearly fell two behind when Hector Bellerin tried to catch out Antonio Sivera with a near-post shot on the hour mark, only to see the goalkeeper get smartly down to his left.
The contest then started to open up as Alaves ramped up their search for an equaliser, with Lopez forced to make a diving stop from Abde Rebbach’s free-kick, before Betis’ Pablo Garcia saw his driven effort tipped around the post.
The home faithful had to sit through a nervy finish as their side failed to kill the game off with the cushion of a second goal. However, crucially for Betis, they thwarted the visitors’ late attacks to clinch their first La Liga clean sheet since February and take their tally to four points from two matches, sending them to the summit for the time being.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side will now prepare for an away clash against Celta Vigo, while El Glorioso will face the tricky test of a home meeting with giants Atletico Madrid.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis)
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