Sevilla claimed their first league win of 2012 in new coach Michel's home debut after defeating Osasuna 2-0 in a hard-fought encounter at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.
Michel saw his side slump to a 2-0 defeat to Real Sociedad on Monday in his first game since replacing Marcelino Garcia Toral, but it was a happier night for the former Getafe boss this evening thanks to goals from Gary Medel and Piotr Trochowski.
Medel opened the scoring in the 16th minute and substitute Trochowski added a second deep into injury time as Sevilla earned their first league win since December 5, having picked up just two points from eight games since then.
Osasuna came into the match in buoyant mood following their shock win over Barcelona last weekend but it was Sevilla who started the better and Jesus Navas was denied by visiting goalkeeper Andres Fernandez in the 10th minute before Medel put the hosts in front.
Alvaro Negredo played the ball back to his team-mate 25 yards out and the Chile international's low shot beat Fernandez diving to his right.
Negredo, Ivan Rakitic, Frederic Kanoute and Jose Antonio Reyes all tried their luck as Sevilla sought to increase their lead before the lead, while Fernandez did well to keep out Federico Fazio's header at the start of the second period.
Osasuna were not without their chances either though and Andres Palop was called on to tip away Alvaro Cejudo's effort in the 52nd minute.
Then, after Navas and Negredo just failed to combine in the 62nd minute after getting in behind the Osasuna defence, Palop made two brilliant saves to keep Sevilla in front.
In the 77th minute he deflected away Roland Lamah's shot with his feet, and then two minutes later produced a superb one-handed save to keep out another effort from the Belgium striker.
Osasuna could not force an equaliser though and Sevilla wrapped up points with the last attack of the match when Navas' low cross picked out Trochowski near the penalty area and the Germany international lifted the ball past the outcoming Fernandez.
