MADRID (AFP) - Luis Fabiano showed he is committed to the Sevilla cause scoring a last minute penalty to secure a crucial 2-1 victory over nine-man Osasuna on Saturday.

The Brazilian striker admitted in midweek that clubs were showing interest in signing him but it has not affected his performances on the pitch and he netted his 14th goal of the season with a controversial late penalty.

Sevilla, who were second in the table at this stage last season, climb to seventh with the win to close in on the UEFA Cup spots.

Christian Poulsen put Sevilla ahead on 55 minutes but Enrique Sola levelled with a brilliant solo goal.

In the dying seconds Osasuna, who had been reduced to nine men, conceded a dubious penalty for handball and Fabiano converted twice after his first attempt was ruled out for being taken too early.

Sevilla were again without midfield dynamo Seydou Keita and striker Freddy Kanoute - both playing at the ongoing African Nations Cup in Ghana - and they were sorely missed as the hosts lacked penetration.

The goal came from an unlikely source with defensive midfielder Poulsen gambling on a 55th minute free-kick and he reaped his reward toe-poking the ball home from close range.

But Sola produced a fine equaliser twisting the Sevilla defence inside out and curling the ball expertly into the corner.

Osasuna hit the crossbar in the closing stages and Fabiano spurned a great chance but then had the final say with the vital spot-kick.

The game was marred by ugly incidents after the match as both sets of players and managers lost their cool.

League leaders Real Madrid are looking for an eighth straight win when they host third-placed Villarreal on Sunday.

Villarreal were crushed 5-0 by Real on their own ground and will hope to defend much better as they bid to become the first team to win at the Santiago Bernabeu this season.

Barcelona drew 0-0 with Villarreal in the quarter-finals of the Kings Cup in midweek and will hope to find their shooting boots for Sunday's trip to Athletic Bilbao.

Frank Rijkaard's team are seven points behind Real.