Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui was left delighted with victory over Real Betis in Sunday's El Gran Derbi.

Lopetegui insists they deserved the three points on the night.

He said: "Happy for the three points, logically, which is the goal, to score three against a direct rival. It is the first derby that I have enjoyed with the public at our house and I'm happy for the fans because they deserved such joy, because of how the team turned out, with determination and energy.

"I am happy for the fans and for the boys.

"The protagonists and those who have made victory possible are the footballers who have come out believing in themselves and have been able to beat a good team like Betis. In general lines we have deserved the three points.

"We have known how to disarm all the virtues of a good Betis. It is true that other times you have dominance but not goals, but we have managed to score and I have the feeling of having been able to score more.

"We have long deserved the three points. Betis have good players and we managed the overexertion well in the second half, we lacked a bit of calm to look for the third. We had two other setbacks and we knew how to manage them. Three beautiful and hard-working points."

Lopetegui also had praise for Brazilian defender Diego Carlos.

He added: "He's one of the players to praise today. This morning we didn't know if he could play. Medically he was at the limit, he's pushed forward, he's an extraordinary guy and at the break he told us he was at the limit and we decided to take him out. He had a sensational first half. Incredible the commitment he has shown to the team."