Bono penalty save takes Sevilla fourth in La Liga

(Reuters) - Sevilla goalkeeper Bono rescued his side with a 91st-minute penalty save to earn a 2-1 win away to Alaves on Tuesday, taking his side up to fourth in La Liga.

The Moroccan guessed the right way and dived to the bottom corner to palm away and then gather a spot-kick from Alaves striker Joselu after Sevilla defender Jules Kounde had been penalised for handling the ball.

Sevilla had taken an early lead in the third minute through striker Youssef En-Nesyri but Edgar Mendez levelled in the 12th for Alaves, who were playing their first league game since Abelardo Fernandez returned as coach to succeed Pablo Machin.

Julen Lopetegui's side restored their lead on the half-hour mark through a scorching strike from midfielder Suso while they looked to have added a third late in the second half when the ball went in off Alaves's Ximo Navarro for an own goal but the strike was ruled out for an earlier handball.

The victory returned Sevilla to winning ways after last week's 2-0 defeat at leaders Atletico Madrid and saw them climb above Villarreal into fourth spot on 33 points after 18 games.

Unai Emery's Villarreal, on 32 after 18 games, can reclaim fourth when they host Granada on Wednesday.

Sevilla coach Lopetegui had kicked the seats in the dugout in frustration when his side conceded the late spot-kick and was relieved to see them cling on for the victory.

"We had a goal ruled out and then the penalty arrived but we really deserved the three points," he said.

"We did a lot of things well against a team that were playing with a lot of pride, as if their lives depended on it."

Alaves, meanwhile, are hovering one point and one place above the relegation zone in 17th, having played two games more than 18th-placed Elche, who threw away a two-goal lead in the final 20 minutes to draw 2-2 away to Real Valladolid.

Elsewhere Cadiz's match at home to Levante also ended 2-2.

(Reporting by Richard Martin; Editing by Toby Davis)