Real Sociedad travelled to Espanyol on Saturday looking to continue their solid run of form in La Liga.
Both sides had opportunities in an end-to-end first period, but Jhon Cordoba opened the scoring for Espanyol after 31 minutes.
Sociedad were level after 69 minutes, however, when Antoine Griezmann headed home from close range, before an own goal from Christian Stuani handed the away side all the points late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from the El-Prat as Espanyol welcome Real Sociedad. The home side currently sit ninth in the table, but they have won just one of their last five matches in the league. That victory came last time out as they thumped Rayo Vallecano 4-1 in the Spanish capital.
Sociedad, meanwhile, have had a long trip back from the Ukraine this week. The tiredness will have been made worse after losing 4-0 in the Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk. However, they have managed to put themselves back in the picture for the top four in Spain with a strong run of results in recent weeks.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Espanyol have won two of the last five, with the further three ending in a share of the spoils. As mentioned, the corresponding fixture last season ended in a 2-2 draw, but Espanyol were 1-0 winners when they made the trip to Sociedad in November 2012.
TEAMS:
ESPANYOL: Casilla; Colotto, Moreno, Rodriguez, Fuentes; J. Lopez, Alvarez, D. Lopez; Garcia, Stuani, Cordoba
REAL SOCIEDAD: Bravo; C. Martinez, Mikel, I. Martinez, De la Bella; Markel, Ros, Prieto; Vela, Griezmann, Agirretxe
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. No real surprises in either XI this evening. Both have strikers in form with Sergio Garcia netting three times for Espanyol last week and Carlos Vela scoring four times for Sociedad. Right, the away side get the action underway at the El-Prat.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a strong atmosphere. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of match. Bright start from Sociedad as Vela attempts to force the issue with a threaded pass towards Griezmann, but Kiko Casilla is alive to the danger.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a strong atmosphere. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of match. Bright start from Sociedad as Vela attempts to force the issue with a threaded pass towards Griezmann, but Kiko Casilla is alive to the danger.
Half-chance for the home side as Cordoba latches onto a mistake from Mikel before striking an effort towards goal, but Inigo Martinez is on hand to make a fine challenge. Espanyol continue to pass and probe outside the Sociedad box, but the move breaks down when Bravo collects a deep cross from Stuani on the right.
Another half-chance for Espanyol as Javi Lopez strikes a bouncing ball from outside the box, but Bravo is down to make a fine save. Cordoba is enjoying a lively start, meanwhile, as the Colombian finds another low cross towards Garcia, but De la Bella is alive to the danger. Plenty happening with six minutes on the clock.
Early booking for Cordoba as the Espanyol forward clashes with Javi Ros. Harsh decision from the referee there is no question about that. The look from Javier Aguirre shows his feelings on the decision. Neither side has really had a clear chance in the opening nine minutes, but both are prepared to commit numbers in the opposing final third.
Not a match for the faint-hearted as the challenges continue to arrive in the middle of the park, but the referee has done well to keep a lid on proceedings. Both of these sides were victorious last weekend, but both have had their problems this season. We still wait for the first real chance in this La Liga contest in Barcelona.
CHANCE! Espanyol come close to opening the scoring as Fuentes delivers a wicked cross into the box, but De la Bella just manages to make contact before Cordoba, who looked certain to score at the far post. The pressure is building as the home side force two corners in quick succession.
Possession football for Sociedad in the last couple of moments with Prieto and Ros seeing plenty of the ball. However, the likes of Griezmann and Vela have struggled to influence proceedings thus far. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive in this type of contest.
Just a few signs that Sociedad are starting to warm to their task this evening as they continue to enjoy possession in the Espanyol half. Carlos Martinez delivers a dangerous cross towards Agirretxe, but his effort is blocked by Colotto at the vital moment. Espanyol are just struggling at the moment.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Agirretxe to send Sociedad into the lead as the Spaniard is found by Vela inside the Espanyol box, but his low effort is pushed wide by Casilla. The Sociedad forward has recently signed a new long-term deal, but is yet to find the back of the net in the league this season.
Handbags between both sets of players as Moreno clashes with Prieto, but the referee is on hand to calm proceedings. The resulting free kick allows Griezmann the chance to deliver into the Espanyol box, but Agirretxe had moved into an offside position.
CHANCE! Some strange goalkeeping from Casilla as the Espanyol stopper decides to leave his goal, but his challenge presents the ball to Vela. The Mexican picks up the pieces outside the box, but his effort is cleared off the line by Moreno. Both sides have had chances with 25 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Espanyol to take the lead as Garcia finds David Lopez inside the Sociedad box, but somehow the Spaniard lifts his effort just wide of the post. I wonder whether a penalty would have been awarded had Lopez hit the deck under pressure from Mikel.
Couple of half-chances for Sociedad in quick succession as Griezmann drives a low cross into the box, but Moreno is on hand to clear. Prieto picks up the pieces moments later, but his effort is blocked. Still no goals with 29 minutes on the clock, but both sides have had chances in an open contest.
Another half-chance for the away side as Vela finds some space on the left before delivering a cross towards Agirretxe, but the Spaniard cannot make proper contact under pressure from Moreno. In fairness to the home supporters, they are creating a sensational atmosphere, but their side is struggling at the moment.
GOAL! Espanyol 1-0 Sociedad (Cordoba)
What was I saying? Espanyol are struggling? Well, they aren't now. The home side take the lead with 31 minutes on the clock as Cordoba bursts beyond the Sociedad defence before finding the bottom corner. That is his first league goal for his new side.
There has not been too much between these two sides this evening, but Espanyol have opened the scoring. However, I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in Barcelona. End-to-end football as Sociedad break down the other end with Vela, but his effort is straight at Casilla.
Sociedad need more from Griezmann at the moment as another attack breaks down with the Frenchman. The away side break with Vela moments later, but the Mexican is closed out at the final moment. You just get the feeling that Sociedad need to score the next goal if they are to take something from this match.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments as Sociedad continue to hit a brick wall outside the Espanyol box. The opening half has just flown past. Cordoba is involved once more for the home side moments later, but there are no takers on his dangerous cross into the box.
Half-chance for the home side as Garcia stands over a free kick outside the box. The Spaniard delivers towards Cordoba, whose header finds Garcia, but his low effort is saved by Bravo. The resulting corner also causes problems inside the Sociedad box, but Moreno's header is cleared by Mikel. One-way traffic with 41 minutes on the clock.
Safe to say that Agirretxe is not too happy with the referee at the moment as the Sociedad striker hits the deck outside the box, but the official is not interested. The Spaniard just needs to be a little bit careful here as he argues his case. Little over two minutes of the first period remaining in Barcelona.
The referee has been more involved than he would like in the last couple of moments as the challenges continue to arrive from both sides. It has been that type of match thus far. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the first period. Still Espanyol lead.
HALF-TIME: Espanyol 1-0 Sociedad
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Espanyol leading 1-0 courtesy of a strike from Cordoba after 31 minutes. Sociedad have had their moments in an entertaining first period, but have been unable to find that elusive touch in the final third.
STATISTICS: Sociedad have dominated the possession with 65%, while they have had seven attempts to Espanyol's eight. Both sides have registered three attempts on target, meanwhile, which demonstrates the even nature of the first period. It is so delicately poised ahead of the second half.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options in reserve in the shape of Pizzi, Sanchez, Simao and Torje. Meanwhile, Sociedad have the likes of Pardo, Seferovic and Zubikarai on the sidelines. It would not be a surprise if changes were made at the interval.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Espanyol would move above Sociedad into seventh position in the table. However, I have a feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals. Espanyol get the second 45 minutes underway on this mild evening in Barcelona.
No changes for either side at the interval, but I suspect subs will be apparent if the score remains the same around the hour mark. Confident start to the second period from Espanyol as Garcia immediately looks for the run of Cordoba, but this time the Colombian forward cannot gather under pressure from Inigo Martinez.
Two penalty shouts in quick succession for the home side as Javi Lopez and Stuani both hit the deck, but the referee is not interested. The second was the stronger call, but it would have been harsh. Espanyol make a change moments later as Torje replaces Cordoba, who limps off the pitch. That is not a good sign.
It's bright work from Torje as the Espanyol midfielder drives down the right before delivering a dangerous cross into the box, but there are no takers at the far post. Sociedad break down the other end with Vela moments later, but the move breaks down with Prieto. Still 1-0 Espanyol with 53 minutes on the clock.
Another half-chance for the home side as Torje's dangerous delivery causes all sorts of problems inside the Sociedad box, but Carlos Martinez manages to clear the danger. Griezmann threatens down the other end moments later, but his cross is straight into the arms of Casilla. It has not quite been his night thus far.
Sociedad force the issue once more as Carlos Martinez delivers a dangerous cross towards Vela, but the Mexican cannot make contact at the vital moment. Espanyol break down the other end with Garcia moments later, but the skipper's pass towards Stuani is too short. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in Barcelona.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of moments, but both sides are attempting to force the issue by committing bodies in the final third. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could decide the outcome. Another for Espanyol would surely secure all three points.
Espanyol make their second change of the match as experienced midfielder Pizzi replaces Victor Alvarez, who has struggled to influence proceedings in the second period. Still no changes from Sociedad, which is a surprise. In truth, Griezmann, Vela and Agirretxe have all struggled in the 62 minutes thus far.
Better from Griezmann in the last five minutes or so as the Frenchman continues to take control in the final third, but there is not too much happening in front of him at the moment. Sociedad finally make their first change moments later as Jon Ansotegi replaces Inigo Martinez. If that is tactical, then it is a strange one.
CHANCE! It's wonderful work from De la Bella as the Sociedad defender dances into the Espanyol box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Casilla is across to make a fine save. Moments later, Sociedad make their second change of the match as Pardo replaces Ros, who has struggled to influence proceedings in the second period.
The away supporters are the ones making the noise at the moment as we approach the final 20 minutes of action, but still Espanyol lead courtesy of that first-half strike from Cordoba, who has since been forced off with an injury. Not too much happening at the moment, although the home side are in control of the possession.
GOAL! Espanyol 1-1 Sociedad (Griezmann)
Sociedad level with 69 minutes on the clock as Griezmann heads a Vela cross into the back of the net. Poor goalkeeping from Casilla, who had come and got nowhere near the cross. Game on in Barcelona!
Griezmann now has nine goals in La Liga this season, which is more than Lionel Messi and David Villa. Another half-chance arrives for the away side moments later as Vela strikes one from outside the box, but it smashes into the side netting. Can the away side turn this one around?
Half-chance for Espanyol this time as Garcia finds the head of Simao inside the Sociedad box, but his header is wide of the post. That is poor from the former Portugal international. You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals this evening. Both sides still have one permitted change remaining.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for Sociedad as Pardo meets a bouncing ball inside the box, but Casilla is across to make a fine save at the vital moment. The resulting corner is delivered into the box by Vela, but Carlos Martinez's header is wide. This match has exploded into life with 77 minutes on the clock.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments as Casilla is forced to leave his goal to clear a through pass from Pardo. Espanyol are down the other end with Simao moments later, but his cross is straight into the arms of Bravo. You just get the feeling that there is a winner in this match. Both could argue that they deserve all the points.
Sociedad make their third and final change moments later as Seferovic replaces Agirretxe, who has failed to score in his last 15 matches for the club. The away side build down the left through Vela, but Javi Lopez fells the Mexican. The resulting set piece is delivered towards Seferovic, but Casilla comes to collect.
It's good work from Torje moments later as the Espanyol forward drives towards the Sociedad box, but Mikel fells the Romanian and picks up a yellow card for his troubles. The resulting set piece is delivered into the area, but Ansotegi heads clear. Still 1-1 with 84 minutes on the clock.
Half-chance for David Lopez as the Espanyol winger collects possession outside the box, but his low effort was always moving wide of the post. The home side make their third and final change moments later as the skipper Garcia is replaced by Pizzi. Will there be late drama in Barcelona?
Espanyol are the team forcing the issue at the moment as they continue to deliver high balls into the Sociedad box. However, the away side have almost settled for the point as they retreat deeper and deeper. Stuani has a half-chance moments later as he collects a loose ball in the box, but he cannot keep his footing.
GOAL! Espanyol 1-2 Sociedad (Pardo)
Oh my word. Sociedad take the lead in the latter stages as Pardo's cross ends up in the back of the net. It might have taken the slightest touch off Stuani, but that is unconfirmed at this stage of proceedings. One thing is for certain - Sociedad lead.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Espanyol continue to deliver high balls into the Sociedad box, but another free kick wastes more valuable seconds. Sociedad appear to be heading for all three points here.
FULL-TIME: Espanyol 1-2 Sociedad
So there we have it. Sociedad come from behind to beat Espanyol 2-1 in Barcelona. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us again tomorrow for more La Liga football. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
