Dogged Betis earn hard-fought derby win

Sides set their stalls out early on

Both teams made their intentions clear from the way they set up in an opening period which saw chances at either end. Real Betis looked to the pace of their star man, Charly Musonda, to open up the visitors' backline, whilst Granada CF came out content to sit back and break on the counter.

El Arabi shines

The Moroccan forward was a constant menace in the first half as he carried the fight for his side and had a hand in everything going forward. Granada's number 9 also got back and helped out defensively, with his heading ability easing the pressure on his defence on several occasions. With chances at a premium in the first period, the sides went in 0-0 at the break.

66' GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAL!!!!! @alfredndiaye !!!!! #RBBlive #RBBVGCF pic.twitter.com/b1b0BDVZap

— Real Betis Balompié (@RealBetis_en) March 6, 2016

Vargas sees red

The hosts were reduced to ten men on 53 minutes when Juan Manuel Vargas was shown his second yellow of the afternoon after a challenge on Ruben Rochina. The Peruvian had picked up his first booking on the stroke of half time for taking a free-kick before the referee's whistle. In injury-time at the end of the game, Granada goalkeeper Andres Fernandez was given his marching orders, leaving left-back Cristiano Biraghi to deputise between the sticks.

 Heroics from Adan

After being called into action several times in the first half, the Betis goalkeeper also showed himself to be equal to everything that Granada threw at him after the break, notably producing a magnificent save at a crucial time to deny David Barral. With his side at a numerical disadvantage and with Granada looking increasingly threatening, Antonio Adan stuck out a hand to prevent the hosts from going behind.

N'Diaye & Castro send the home faithful into raptures

All of Betis' endeavour was rewarded when Alfred N'Diayeheaded home to toast his 26th birthday in the best possible fashion. In a routine that came straight off the training ground, the French-born Senegalese midfielder met a Joaquin corner to nod home and send the Benito Villamartin into ecstasy. Minutes later, Ruben Castro curled in a free-kick to make it 2-0. These two strikes mark the fifth and sixth goals that Betis have scored from dead balls in their last four outings and see the Seville side take a huge step in their fight for survival.