Iborra hat-trick cements Sevilla in third

Madrid : Sevilla strengthened their grip on third in La Liga thanks to captain Vicente Iborra's hat-trick in a 3-0 win at Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Iborra was only brought on as a substitute at half-time by coach Jorge Sampaoli after his exertions as Sevilla booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a 0-0 draw at Lyon in midweek.

However, he made an instant impact by heading home the opener from Pablo Sarabia's corner on 51 minutes.

The midfielder then broke clear to seal the three points six minutes from time before adding a stoppage-time penalty to round off the first hat-trick of his career.

Victory puts Sevilla five points clear of fifth-placed Atletico Madrid, who travel to Villarreal on Monday night, and four clear of Real Sociedad in fourth.

Sevilla are just a point behind Barcelona and seven adrift of league leaders Real Madrid after they were victorious against Osasuna and Deportivo la Coruna respectively on Saturday.

Espanyol will carry a nine-game unbeaten run in La Liga into their meeting with Barca in the Catalan derby next weekend after a 2-1 win over Sporting Gijon lifted them up to ninth.

Just two points separate sixth from 12th as Athletic Bilbao missed a chance to move into the top four with a 1-0 defeat at Real Betis thanks to Ruben Castro's early winner.

Basque rivals Eibar and Alaves remain locked in mid-table after a 0-0 at Ipurua stadium.