Espanyol travelled to Real Sociedad on Sunday looking to secure the three points that would take them out of the bottom three this weekend.
Sociedad dominated the match for large periods, but a late Diego Colotto strike earned all three points for Espanyol as they moved into 16th spot in the table.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Good morning all! Our first live commentary of Sunday comes from Donostia-San Sebastian as Sociedad welcome struggling Espanyol. Victory for Sociedad could move them as high as ninth, while Espanyol would move out of the bottom three with a win.
Teams:
Sociedad: Zubikarai; Diez, Gonzalez, Martinez, De La Bella; Estrada, Bergara Illarramendi, Prieto; Agirretxe, Vela
Espanyol: Alvare; Rodriguez, Moreno, Colotto, Delgado; Verdu, Wakaso, Gomez, Baena; Garcia, Longo
Sociedad were beaten in midweek by Liga Segunda side Cordoba in the Copa del Rey, however, and they have taken just one point from their last three matches. They have also failed to win away from home and this season.
French attacker Antoine Griezmann scored a fine double for them last week, but Carlos Vela has yet to really hit the heights of his previous season with the Spanish club. But they are not the only side who desperately need the points.
Espanyol also suffered defeat in the Copa del Rey to Sevilla, but a 0-0 draw against Malaga last weekend will have at least raised their spirit ahead of the match. Today is a tie that neither side can really afford to lose.
In terms of the overall record between the two sides. Sociedad have won 12, drawn 10 and lost eight of their matches with Espanyol. Meanwhile, they have a goal stat of 1.03 goals per game against today's opponents compared to Espanyol's 0.87. Hands up who knew that?!
Espanyol do have a midfielder in form, however, with Verdu topping their goalscoring charts with four goals. Meanwhile, Greizmann has three for the home side. Although he is not in the squad for this match.
Regular followers will know what time it is now. Pre-match prediction. Neither side can afford to lose this match and I think a 1-1 draw is on the cards.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff on this warm late morning in Spain. Just a reminder that we have live coverage from 6.30pm this evening of the final two La Liga games of Sunday.
Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Let's get this La Liga encounter underway. It has all the makings of a really open game of football.
Here we go then. Espanyol kick us off on this warm afternoon in Spain. Stay with us for all the action.
Decent start from the away side as Verdu picks up possession before driving into the Sociedad half. However, Martinez fells the midfielder.
Sociedad have just settled into the match in the past few moments. It's good work from Vela as he collects possession before beating two defenders, but his cross is cleared by Moreno.
Both sides are struggling to keep possession at the moment as each exchanges attacks in quick succession. Neither outfit is prepared to sit back in this one. It is so incredibly open for the first 10 minutes.
Sergio Garcia has been bright for Espanyol in the early stages with his physical presence. However, we are still awaiting our first real chance of the afternoon. It's just been ever so bitty thus far.
Half-chance for the home side as Martinez searches out the run of Vela, but Colotto heads calmly back to his goalkeeper. It's end-to-end stuff at the moment, but with neither really threatening to take the lead.
Sociedad have just started to take control of the possession as the first period gathers pace. Vela is felled in the area under the challenge of Colotto, but the referee waves play on. It is heating up slightly.
Half-chance for Espanyol this time as Verdu and Garcia combine outside the box, but the latter's effort is deflected for a corner - which is also cleared.
Suddenly the attacking intent is all coming from the away side as Garcia and Verdu link once more, but Longo just cannot gather the through pass. However, both teams are carrying a threat.
Half-chance for the home side as Vela meets a Prieto corner, but Alvarez made a smart save down low. Meanwhile, Espanyol set up an attack of their own but it breaks down.
The match is in desperate need of a spark at the moment. Both sides are creating slight half-chances, but no more than that. You can see why each team are struggling this season.
Long-range effort from Vela threatens to worry Alvarez, but the Espanyol goalkeeper gathers the danger with ease. Meanwhile, Alvarez denies the Mexican with a similar effort moments later.
Sociedad are playing the better football as we approach the 30-minute mark. Agirretxe comes close with a half-chance as me meets a cross inside the box, but his volley is wide of the target.
Another half-chance for Agirretxe as he meets a Vela cross at the far post, but the striker's header was always moving wide of the post. Espanyol are struggling at the moment.
A rare Espanyol attack threatens to bring the opening goal as Garcia collects possession just outside the box, but the is penalised for handball and play is restarted. Little over 15 minutes of the half remaining.
Espanyol threaten with back-to-back corners, but Martinez twice heads the danger clear. The match has just become ever so bitty in the past few moments. There is not a great deal happening.
Meanwhile, a host of cheap fouls from both sides has also slowed the pace of the match. I do not think that this one will go down as a classic come the end of the season.
Espanyol have just come back into the match in the last five minutes or so. But it is clear to see how they have struggled for goals this season. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
The home supporters call for a penalty as Vela goes down in the box under the challenge of Moreno. However, the referee blows for a foul the other way. Meanwhile, Longo is dispossessed in the Sociedad box moments later.
Another half-chance for the home side as Prieto fires a low cross into the box, but Alvarez gathers the danger. It has been that kind of half for both sides thus far.
Both sides threaten in the latter stages of the half with a host of corners. However, you would say that both defences have been comfortable in dealing with the danger thus far. In fairness, 0-0 does tell the whole story.
The fourth official indicates that we will play just one minute of added time at the end of the half.
Real Sociedad 0-0 Espanyol
So there we have it. The first period is brought to an end with neither side able to open the scoring in the first 45 minutes. It has not been a classic thus far.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half. Sociedad have edged the possession with 51%, while they have had six shots to Espanyol's three. However, there has not been any real clear-cut chances.
Neither side can really afford to this one. But the three points that are on offer could make such a difference to their season. I am still backing a 1-1 draw. Let's just hope for some goals in the second period.
Right, the second half will get underway in the next three minutes or so. Did anyone back a 0-0 draw? That could be a good bet with the way the first period went.
Here we go then. Sociedad get us underway in the second period. Just a reminder to join us tonight from 6.30pm for the final two La Liga matches of Sunday. You will not want to miss it.
Big penalty claim at the beginning of the second half as Vela is felled in the penalty area, but the referee waves play on. The home side have started this period on the front foot.
Espanyol force their seventh corner of the match as Longo is stopped in his tracks by Martinez, but the danger is cleared. Meanwhile, Vela fires over the bar down the other end.
The match appears more open in the early stages of the second period. However, we are still waiting for our first real chance of the match. Liven it up!
Half-chance for the home side as Vela strikes a low effort from outside the box, but the Mexican fires just wide of the post. At least it was an attempt at goal. That's a start.
Suddenly the match has hit a new gear as Vela finds Prieto in the box, but his effort is straight at Alvarez. The home side have taken control of proceedings in the past few minutes.
It is simply all one-way traffic at the moment as Vela dances into the Espanyol box, but his effort is straight at the goalkeeper and the away side live to fight another day.
So, little under 30 minutes of football to play and we remain level at 0-0. However, the pressure is all coming from the home side. Espanyol have simply not attacked in this second period.
Chance! Best opportunity of the match for the home side as Martinez meets a Vela cross in the box, but Alvarez makes a fine save to quell the danger. That was the chance. And what a chance it was.
Espanyol threaten with a corner of their own, but the danger is cleared. Meanwhile, change for the side as Gonzalo Castro replaces Estrada. Will we have a winner here?
Another sighter for the home side as Vela strikes a long-range effort, but the Mexican's shot is over the crossbar. Nearly. It has been a nearly match thus far.
The pressure is simply all coming from the home side at the moment. However, Espanyol have nine men behind the ball and are closing all angles. Sociedad cannot pick their way through.
Sociedad will wander how they are not ahead as they continue to force the issue. Surely the away side cannot hang on for the remaining 20 minutes? I am surprised that they have not made a change.
Another corner comes and goes for the home side as Alvarez gathers the danger. Meanwhile, the home supporters are airing their frustration at the moment.
Change for the home side as Bergara is replaced by Javier Ros. Meanwhile, Sociedad continue to force the issue with possession in the attacking third. Little under 15 minutes remaining.
GOAL! Sociedad 0-1 Espanyol (Colotto)
Espanyol take the lead against the run of play as Colotto taps home from close range. Can they hold on for a vital three points?
It is the most unlikely of scorers but Espanyol will not mind one bit. Meanwhile, another change for the home side as Prieto is replaced by Diego Ifran.
We have little under 10 minutes of football remaining and Espanyol lead. Three points for the away side would move them out of the relegation zone. But Sociedad are on the attack as we speak.
Espanyol are just running the clock down at the moment as they gain a number of free kicks in the middle of the park. Meanwhile, frustration from the home side is aiding to the fouls.
Still Sociedad pass and probe in the Espanyol half. Meanwhile, the away side make a change as Longo is replaced by Simao.
Espanyol continue to frustrate as they force back-to-back corners. Time is not on Sociedad's side at the moment. Little under three minutes of normal time remaining.
Oh my word. Somehow Espanyol clear the danger with Sociedad knocking high balls into their penalty area. Meanwhile, we will play an additional four minutes of time.
Espanyol continue to stand up to the threat with Sociedad knocking ball after ball into their penalty area. The away side are moving out of the bottom three if they can hang on for the next minute or so.
Real Sociedad 0-1 Espanyol
So there we have it. Espanyol secure a vital three points as they move out of the relegation zone in La Liga. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and stay with us for upcoming Premier League action. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
