Real Betis and Sevilla played out a fiery goalless draw as the Andalucian derby ended in deadlock at Benito Villamarin.
Sevilla, who had come into the match on the back of three straight victories, created the better of the few clear chances, with Kevin Gameiro seeing an early effort saved.
Betis, set to face their rivals again in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey in January, gained some momentum as the match went on, but lacked a decisive pass around the penalty area and rarely tested Sevilla keeper Sergio Rico.
The tone was set with a yellow card inside four minutes after Betis full-back Molinero clattered into Tremoulinas.
Sevilla created the first opening on 11 minutes. Ever Banega played Gameiro into the Betis penalty as the French striker beat the offside trap, but his shot was blocked behind by goalkeeper Antonio Adan.
Betis were struggling to get creative, with full-back Juan Vargas firing a speculative 25-yard effort over.
The visitors remained dangerous on the break.
On 32 minutes, it needed a saving tackle from Bruno Cabrera to block Gameiro before defender Thimothee Kolodzieczak missed his kick when the ball dropped to him in space in the penalty area from a corner.
Tempers boiled over just before half-time when Betis forward Dani Ceballos went to ground following a scuffle and players from both sides squared up, and the rival benches also exchanged angry words before referee Clos Gomez restored order.
Betis finished the half strongly, with Ruben Castro's low shot going just wide.
Sevilla, though, looked a danger on the counter, as Ukraine forward Yevhen Konoplyanka saw his angled effort blocked after getting into the left side of the penalty area.
Betis carried their momentum into the early exchanges of the second half, and their fans were calling for a penalty when Ceballos' shot hit full-back Adil Rami in the side at point-blank range.
Sevilla continued to be pressed back, but their defence held out as Betis captain Joaquin saw more of the ball, causing problems cutting in from the left flank.
Betis manager Pepe Mel made a change for the final 20 minutes, replacing Joaquin with Ricky van Wolfswinkel, the Dutchman on loan from English club Norwich City having scored twice in the 3-3 Copa del Rey draw with Gijon.
The tense atmosphere continued during the closing stages, with both Seville defender Rami and Betis goalkeeper Antonio Adan cautioned by the overworked referee following another minor scuffle in the six-yard box on 79 minutes.
Sevilla had a chance to snatch a dramatic winner in stoppage time when Betis substitute Didier Digard tripped Vitolo 25 yards out on the right.
Jose Antinio Reyes whipped the free-kick up over the wall, but it curled wide of the right-hand post.