Real Sociedad go into the break 2-1 up after Joseba Llorente put them ahead for the second time in the match. A Sevilla attack broke down on the edge of the Sociedad box, and a long clearance from Estrada fell into the path of Llorente who made no mistake from just outside the box. Sevilla keeper Andres Palop was caught in no-mans-land, and on reflection he could have done better for the first goal. Not a great night so far for the veteran shotstopper.
Apart from the goal it’s been the same old story for Sevilla. Lacking in creativity upfront, their only source of danger is from the boots of livewire Jesus Navas who grew into the game as the minutes passed. Sevilla seem intent on pinging long balls into the Sociedad half, but with Labaka and Ansotegi repelling everything that comes their way, Manzano will do well to instruct his players to keep the ball on the deck as much as possible in the second half.
In the nights early fixture it finished Malaga 1 – 1 Athletic Bilbao. Both goals were scored in the final ten minutes; Martin Demechelis heading in from a corner to mark his debut with a goal on 80 minutes only to see the goal cancelled out by Javi Martinez with practically the last kick of the match. The Spanish midfielder heading in from a late free-kick.