Substitute Wissam Ben Yedder scored three minutes after coming on as Sevilla moved level on points with third-placed Atletico Madrid with a 2-1 win at home to 10-man Celta Vigo.
The Frenchman stabbed home a low cross from the left at the near post to settle Sevilla nerves in the 79th minute.
Joaquin Correa had put the hosts in front four minutes after the break when a hopeful ball lumped forward was headed into his path on the right of the area.
He took the ball in his stride as he burst in on goal and slammed a shot high into the net.
Iago Aspas levelled from the spot four minutes later, the penalty awarded for holding on John Guidetti and the decision hotly contested by Sevilla players.
Aspas coolly slotted his effort low down the middle as Sergio Rico dove to his right.
The mid-table visitors lost Pablo Hernandez to a second yellow card in the 56th minute, but they continued to frustrate Sevilla until Ben Yedder's poacher's finish.
Athletic Bilbao moved up to sixth place -- the final Europa League qualifying spot -- as two second-half goals earned them a 2-1 win over Real Betis.
Aritz Aduriz opened the scoring with a 53rd-minute penalty, firing it low into the left corner, and seven minutes later Iker Muniain headed a second.
Ruben Castro pulled one back, but Athletic clinched the win to move one point above Real Sociedad and one behind Villarreal in fifth.
Eibar had goalkeeper Asier Riesgo sent off after only 26 minutes, but still managed to shut out Alaves to claim a 0-0 away draw.
Riesgo saw red for handling the ball outside his area after a mix-up at the back with Florian Lejeune.
Midfielder Adrian was the man withdrawn for replacement keeper Yoel and the 10 men dug in to grind out a point.
It is one which does little for their faint hopes of European qualification, though.