Sunday's early start in La Liga pitted Real Sociedad against Sevilla at the Anoeta.
The home side took the lead after 16 minutes courtesy of a smart volley from Imanol Agirretxe, but Sevilla levelled in first-half stoppage time courtesy of a near-post header from Timothee Kolodziejczak.
Sociedad regained the lead moments into the second period, however, when Xabi Prieto converted from the penalty spot.
Sevilla again answered back through Carlos Bacca 20 minutes from time, before Kevin Gameiro scored the game's second penalty to complete an incredible turnaround for the visitors.
Sociedad were not finished, however, and levelled courtesy of an own goal from Alejandro Arribas after 82 minutes, before Prieto won it in stoppage time for David Moyes's side.
Read how all the drama unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Anoeta as Real Sociedad welcome Sevilla for what promises to be a fascinating clash. Both sides are in need of the points at this stage of the season, but for different reasons. Matches between these two in recent seasons have not exactly been goal-fests – let's hope that changes here!
Right, it just about time for me to bring you up-to-speed with the team news.
TEAMS
SOCIEDAD: Rulli; Zaldua, Ansotegi, Inigo, De La Bella; Granero, Pardo; Castro, Canales, Prieto; Agirretxe
SEVILLA: Rico; Diogo, Arribas, Kolo, Tremoulinas; Iborra, Carrico; Vidal, Banega, Deulofeu; Bacca
So there we have it. Sociedad are still without Carlos Vela, David Zurutuza, Carlos Martinez and Yuri, meaning that David Moyes's team selection is fairly straight-forward. Imanol Agirretxe will lead the line for the Basque club, while there are also starts in midfield for Sergio Canales and Gonzalo Castro.
Sevilla, meanwhile, also have a host of absentees, with the likes of Stephane Mbia, Iago Aspas, Coke, Beto and Grzegorz Krychowiak unavailable. Kevin Gameiro and Jose Antonio Reyes are back on the bench for the visitors, but Gerard Deulofeu, Aleix Vidal and Benoit Tremoulinas are all in the XI.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, both have won two of the last five matches, with the further clash ending in a 1-1 draw, which occurred in the corresponding match last season. After a run of three straight wins at the Anoeta, Sevilla are without a victory in their last three trips to this stadium, but Unai Emery's side won the reverse match 1-0 at the Estadio Ramon earlier this season.
It would be fair to say that Sociedad boss Moyes is still searching for his best team, but the Scot has done a fairly solid job since taking charge towards the end of last year. As it stands, the Basque outfit are 13th in the table on 24 points, but they are without a win in the league since beating Eibar on January 24. Since then, they have lost to Real Madrid and drawn with both Celta Vigo and Almeria.
Sociedad's home form this season has been fairly strong – winning five of their 12 matches and collecting 18 points in the process. While that is far from disastrous, their form on the road has been terrible. Moyes's side are still waiting for their first league win on the road this season – drawing six of their 11 matches and losing five. It could be their Achilles heel in their push for a top-half finish.
Sevilla, meanwhile, lost a bit of ground in the race for the top four after losing back-to-back games against Real Madrid and Getafe, but they returned to winning ways last time out against Cordoba. As it stands, they are fifth on 45 points – five behind Valencia, who beat Cordoba 2-1 on Saturday.
Sevilla have notoriously struggled on the road in recent seasons, but their away form this term has been fairly strong - winning five of their 11 matches and collecting 15 points. Their challenge for the top four, however, has been built on excellent form at the Estadio Ramon, where they have won nine of their 12 matches and not lost. In fact, they are the only team in Spain's top flight that has not suffered at least one home defeat this season. Right, little over five minutes until this one gets underway.
PREDICTION! Both sides will fancy their chances of claiming all three points from this one, but I am finding it difficult to back either to win. I am going to sit on the fence and back a 1-1 draw.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a strong atmosphere inside the stadium as the home side get the first 45 minutes underway.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of match. Sociedad have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Agirretxe already the target from a couple of clipped balls. Let's hope for an entertaining affair in the Basque country.
Sevilla have not really been allowed to make their mark thus far, with the home side in control of the possession. A launched pass from Inigo causes problems inside the Sevilla box, but Sergio Rico comes out to claim above Agirretxe. There has been a good tempo to the opening four minutes here.
Not a full house inside the Anoeta this afternoon - far from it - but there is a good atmosphere. Sevilla's first bright moment occurs when Bacca drives past two defenders before attempting to advance into the box, but the Colombian's final touch is just too heavy and the home side restart play with a goal kick.
CLOSE! Sevilla come mightily close to taking the lead as Deulofeu delivers a super corner towards Iborra, but the Spaniard's effort flashes across the face of goal and out for another corner.
Banega tries his luck for Sevilla after finding space outside the box, but the Argentine's effort is deflected high of the crossbar for another corner. Good spell of pressure for the visitors here.
Deulofeu delivers the resulting corner, but it hits the side netting. Poor from the Spaniard there.
CHANCE! Oh my word what a chance! Sevilla have a golden opportunity to take the lead as Vidal drives down the right before flashing a super cross into Deulofeu, but Rulli is out at the right time to make the block. Right-back Zaldua also did excellently to deny Deulofeu a clear effort on goal.
BOOKING! De La Bella (Sociedad) is booked for a late challenge on Banega.
Sociedad made the better start to this match, but there is no question that Sevilla are now on top as they continue to threaten in wide areas. Bacca is also full of running in the middle of the attack here.
GOAL! Sociedad 1-0 Sevilla (Agirretxe)
First blood to the home side! Sociedad take the lead with 16 minutes on the clock as Agirretxe cushions an excellent volley into the bottom corner after a deep cross from Zaldua. I am not sure about the defending at the far post from Arribas, but it was a wonderful finish from the Spanish forward.
Sometimes these early Sunday starts take a while to get going, but this has been a super game.
Half-chance for Sevilla this time as Diogo meets a deep cross from Iborra, but his header was always dropping wide of the post. End-to-end football with 19 minutes on the clock at the Anoeta.
Iborra tries his luck for Sevilla after finding some space outside the box, but it is a fairly comfortable save for Rulli, who gathers at the second time of asking. Sevilla are looking for a quick response.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for Sevilla as Iborra meets an excellent free kick from Banega, but his header just drops high of the crossbar. Sociedad are down the other end moments later, but Castro flashes one past the post. This really is a cracking match with 23 minutes on the clock at the Anoeta.
Another half-chance for Sociedad as Agirretxe meets a flicked header from Prieto, but his low effort was straight at the Rico. There is such tempo to this match, which is creating some spectacle here.
As it stands, Sociedad would move into 10th position in the table, but I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals here. It is simply no exaggeration to say that this match is flowing from end-to-end, with both sides prepared to commit four and five players each time they break forward.
Sociedad continue to force the issue as De La Bella flashes a low cross towards Castro, but it is a red shirt that is first to the ball. Sevilla are down the other end moments later, but Bacca cannot reach a through pass from Iborra. Still 1-0 Sociedad with around 15 minutes of the first half to play here.
The tempo has just dropped in the last couple of minutes, with Sociedad settling the game down with a period of possession. Sevilla, however, remain a threat each time they break in the final third.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but Sevilla have started to threaten in wide areas once again, with Tremoulinas and Diogo getting forward. Another corner from Deulofeu is delivered into a dangerous area, but Rulli is claims as Sociedad break forward once again.
Plenty of corners for Sevilla in this half as Carrico has a shot deflected high of the crossbar, but the quality from wide areas has been a little disappointing. Surely the visitors will make one count?
CHANCE! Stunning, stunning chance for Sociedad. The home side break following a third successive corner from Sevilla, with Canales advancing into a one-on-one situation with Rico. However, the midfielder loses his nerve at the vital moment and hits a tame effort straight at the goalkeeper.
Canales is much, much better than that. Will that chance come back to haunt the home side? Sevilla are threatening on the counter, but they are also very vulnerable to the counter from Sociedad here.
Both teams are committing players forward as we enter the final minutes of the first period, which is creating excellent entertainment. There is still another 45 minutes to play here lads!
Half-chance for the away side once again as Deulofeu finds a pocket of space outside the box, but his effort is deflected wide for yet another corner. Surely they will make one of these count?
GOAL! Sociedad 1-1 Sevilla (Kolo)
And they have made one count! Sevilla level in the final minutes of the first half as Kolodziejczak heads a Deulofeu corner into the back of the net at the near post. What a time to level the scores.
HALF-TIME: Sociedad 1-1 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two sides level at 1-1. Sociedad opened the scoring through Agirretxe after 16 minutes, but Sevilla levelled late in the half with a near-post header from Kolodziejczak. It has been a cracking opening half of football at the Anoeta.
STATS! The home side have just about shaded the possession with 57%, while they have had seven attempts - three of which have been on target. Sevilla have also had seven attempts, but hit the target just twice. There has been just one booking, meanwhile, with De La Bella having his name taken.
BENCH WATCH! Sociedad boss Moyes does not have too much in the way of attacking options on his bench this afternoon, but Finnbogason and Hervias are both available for the hosts. Sevilla, however, have plenty of forward options in the shape of Gameiro, Reyes, Suarez and Vitolo.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a winner at the Anoeta? More of the same from the first half please! Sevilla resume this afternoon's action.
SUB! Sevilla have made a change at the break, with Vitolo replacing Deulofeu.
PENALTY SOCIEDAD!
BOOKING! Sociedad are awarded a penalty as Tremoulinas is adjudged to have pulled Canales to the ground inside the box. The full-back also picks up a booking for the challenge.
GOAL! Sociedad 2-1 Sevilla (Prieto, pen)
Sociedad do indeed take the lead as Prieto calmly chips one into the bottom corner. Super finish from the Spaniard. Well, that is some start to this half. I am not sure about the award of the penalty!
Sevilla got themselves on terms in the latter stages of the first period, but they are now back to square one. Banega attempts to test Rulli from outside the box, but his effort is straight at the Sociedad goalkeeper. You still get the feeling that there are more goals in this one. It has been a super game.
As was the case for much of the first period, both sides are committing numbers in the final third, with Sevilla keen to launch a quick response. The referee has been busier than he would have liked in the last few moments, however, following a couple of late challenges. Still 2-1 to the home side here.
CHANCE! Oh my word! Sevilla have a golden chance to level as Arribas meets a deep free kick from Banega, but somehow the defender fires over from barely five yards out. Blimey!
POST! Good grief what a strike that is! Sevilla come close to levelling as Carrico strikes one from all of 35 yards, but his effort crashes against the post. Sensational effort from the midfielder.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and plenty is happening at both ends of the field. Sociedad still lead 2-1, but I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals. Both managers will also surely be considering changes as the second period continues to gather pace at the Anoeta.
The end-to-end period of the match continues as both sides continue to commit numbers in the final third. It is being played as if there are just a few minutes remaining, which is quite incredible!
Defeat would be a big blow for Sevilla's chances of finishing in the top four there is no doubt about that. However, Sociedad have conceded a lot of late goals in recent games and that will be in their minds.
SUB! Sevilla make their second change as Denis Suarez replaces Iborra.
Not too much rot report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but Sevilla are still forcing the issue. I suspect that Kevin Gameiro will be their third change when Emery wants to force the issue. Bacca has not had too much in the final third this afternoon, but the Colombian is always dangerous.
GOAL! Sociedad 2-2 Sevilla (Bacca)
What was I saying about Bacca? He is always dangerous? Well, yes he is! The striker levels the scores here as he flicks an excellent Banega free kick into the bottom corner. Super, super header.
This has been an absolute cracker and there is still a lot of football to be played here!
SUB! Sevilla make their third and final change as Gameiro replaces Bacca, who looks to be injured. Surely Emery would not have taken his goal-scorer off otherwise!
OFF-THE-LINE! Incredible! Sevilla come close to taking the lead as Tremoulinas meets a high ball inside the Sociedad box, but De La Bella is on hand to clear off-the-line! Rulli was stranded after coming to challenge Vitolo. The visitors are really pressing for a third goal here.
Sociedad just cannot keep the ball at the moment, with Sevilla the team looking more likely to claim all the points in sensational fashion. Is there to be a late sting in the tail here? I think there could be!
Good grief this pressure from Sevilla is intense! Vitolo and Suarez both have half-chances inside the Sociedad box, but desperate defending clears the danger. Sociedad are just holding on here!
SUB! Sociedad make their first change as Canales is replaced by Hervias.
PENALTY SEVILLA!
BOOKING! Sevilla are awarded a penalty and Inigo (Sociedad) is booked for handling inside the box. Gameiro will take the spot kick for the away side. Oh my word what a turn-up here!
GOAL! Sociedad 2-3 Sevilla (Gameiro, pen)
Gameiro fires his effort into the bottom corner to complete a stunning turnaround here!
This has been one of the best games I have seen this season there is no doubt about that.
BOOKING! Carrico (Sevilla) is booked for a late challenge on Castro.
SUB! Sociedad make their second change as Finnbogason replaces De La Bella.
SAVE! A deep free kick from Pardo threatens to finish in the top corner, but Sevilla goalkeeper Rico manages to palm just over the crossbar. Hardly time to take a breath at the moment!
GOAL! Sociedad 3-3 Sevilla (Arribas OG)
Sociedad level with 82 minutes on the clock as Arribas turns into his own net following a mix-up inside the box. This incredible match has taken yet another turn and now Sociedad want to win it!
I just had a feeling before the match that this one could be special and that has been the case. Pardo attempts to threaten with another deep free kick, but his effort drops high of the crossbar.
Banega tries his luck for the home side after finding space outside the box, but his effort was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. Both sides are going for the win in the final minutes here.
CHANCES! Castro takes matters into his own hands as he drives into the Sevilla box before firing one towards goal, but he hits the side netting. Sevilla are straight down the other end moments later, but Suarez places one wide of the post following a quick counter attack. Sensational stuff!
BOOKING! Granero (Sociedad) is booked for dissent.
SUB! Sociedad make their third change as Bergara replaces Castro.
Another half-chance for the home side as Hervias lets one fly from outside the box, but Rico is on hand to make a super save. Sociedad will attempt to threaten once again from a corner.
GOAL! Sociedad 4-3 Sevilla (Prieto)
Would you believe it! Sociedad surely win it late on as Prieto thumps a near-post header into the top corner. Oh my word what a match at the Anoeta! Three minutes of added time will be played.
Sevilla launch a couple of high balls into the Sociedad box, but the danger is cleared and that might be that for this one. Best game of the season in Spain? Surely. It has had just everything!
BOOKING! Rulli (Sociedad) is booked for time wasting.
FULL-TIME: Sociedad 4-3 Sevilla
Good grief - what a match. Sociedad win it late on courtesy of a header from Prieto, but Sevilla will go away wondering how they have lost after turning the game around in the second period. It was a true seven-goal thriller at the Anoeta. Sociedad have moved into 10th with the win, while Sevilla remain fifth in the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good afternoon!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
