Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti hailed his players after edging a five goal thriller against Sevilla.

Karim Benzema struck late to earn the 3-2 triumph.

Ancelotti said, "The first half performance was the coach's fault and the second half was down to the players' quality. We didn't lose our heads. We put a few things right that weren't going well in the first half. We weren't solid enough when it came to recovery in the first half. They probed two or three times in transition and our possession wasn't right. We fixed two or three things.

"In the first half we looked a tired team and then the intensity in the second half was amazing. Sometimes in football you can't put your finger on these things. I also don't understand the interpretation of Diego Carlos' handball and Vinicius' handball.

"It's difficult to comprehend our first-half performance and subsequently the second half as we played with a high level of intensity, concentration and a great attitude. Nothing surprises me about this team. I'm very proud of this second-half performance. I must thank all the players for that."