Sevilla travelled to Real Sociedad on Thursday looking to improve on a recent run of form that had seen them take just one point from their last four La Liga matches.
The home side opened the scoring after 18 minutes when Carlos Vela struck from close range, but Sevilla were level moments into the second period when Gary Medel converted from inside the box.
Sociedad were back ahead after 69 minutes, however, when Alberto de la Bella ghosted into the box to finish from close range.
It got worse for Sevilla late on, meanwhile, when Coke was dismissed for two bookable offences in quick succession.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our La Liga coverage continues with Real Sociedad welcoming a struggling Sevilla outfit to the Estadio Municipal de Anoeta. It would probably be fair to state that Sevilla would have expected to have been in and around the top four at this stage of the season, but a nightmare campaign has left them in 13th position, with just one point from their last four league fixtures.
In their way this evening is a Sociedad outfit that are certainly upwardly mobile. They have drawn their last two matches in the league, but thumped Valencia 5-2 on December 1. Meanwhile, they have tightened up their defence this season, conceding just three goals in their last four matches in the league.
However, Sociedad coach Philippe Montanier has told his players to be wary of Sevilla ahead of the match. He said: "The last few games I've seen of theirs are not a guide because they've finished with nine or 10 players. I think the level they showed against Betis and Real Madrid (1-0 win) was very high. At those times you saw that they have the potential of a Champions League team."
Teams:
Sociedad: Bravo; Diez, M Martinez, I Martinez, De la Bella; Illarramendi, Prieto, Pardo, Griezmann; Vela, Ifran
Sevilla: Palop; Navarro, Spanic, Coke, Botia; Navas, Medel, Kondogbia, Reyes; Negredo, Del Moral
Here we go then. Both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. The pre-match handshakes and flags have been exchanged and the players are ready. Just about time for my pre-match prediction. Sevilla's poor form has to end at some point, but I don't think they have enough to win this evening. I am backing a score draw. Sociedad get the action underway.
Quite extraordinary start from the home side's goalkeeper as he decides to punch clear a long punt from Botia, with Negredo in the vicinity. However, Inigo Martinez comes across to clear the danger before giving Claudio Bravo a stern look. Sociedad advance down the other end with Carlos Vela, but Emir Spahic blocks his route to goal.
Neither team has really settled in the opening four minutes of the match with both sides exchanging spells of possession in midfield. You just get the feeling that Navas and Negredo need to perform for Sevilla this evening. There is no question that they have under-achieved thus far.
First half-chance of the match comes to the home side as Carlos Martinez whips a dangerous ball into the penalty area. It eventually falls for Xabi Prieto, but the midfielder can only strike wide from outside the box. It must be said that there is not much of an atmosphere on this mild evening in Spain.
Sociedad have just started to take control of this match in the past couple of minutes with their full-backs pushing forward on each occasion. Meanwhile, they appear to have a nice balance in midfield with the exciting youngster Ruben Pardo offering himself at every opportunity. A long pass from Martinez almost finds the run of Vela, but Diego Lopez comes out to clear the danger.
Half-chance for Sevilla this time as Manu Del Moral strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the target. However, it has been better from the away side in the last couple of minutes with Negredo and Navas enjoying possession of the ball.
Another half-chance for Sociedad as Antoine Griezmann fires a low cross into the penalty area, but Diego Ifran is just beaten to the ball by Coke and the danger is cleared. Just a reminder that Sevilla have picked up just one point from their past four league matches and sit in 13th position ahead of the winter break in Spain.
Nothing much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes with Sociedad enjoying possession in their own half. You just get the feeling that the first goal in this match - if there indeed is one - could have a huge say on the final result. It is difficult to predict a glut of goals.
Better from Sevilla in the last couple of minutes as Navas fires a low cross into the Sociedad penalty area, but Inigo Martinez just beats Negredo to the ball. The resulting set piece is driven in by Reyes, but once more the danger is cleared. We still await the first real chance of the evening with 16 minutes on the clock.
Sociedad continue to pass and probe in and around the Sevilla penalty area, but the final ball has eluded them thus far. We have not seen much from Ifran and Vela, rather Pardo and Carlos Martinez attacking from a deeper area. Meanwhile, both teams appear to be playing extremely narrow in the early stages.
GOAL! Real Sociedad 1-0 Sevilla (Vela)
Sociedad take the lead with their first real chance of the match as Griezmann finds Vela in the penalty area and the Mexican collects before flashing his effort past Lopez. Really slick passing from the home side in that attack.
Sevilla attempt to respond almost immediately with Reyes attacking down the right, but he is just crowded out at the vital moment. Coke does eventually deliver a searching cross, but Inigo Martinez rises highest to clear the danger. We suddenly have a match on our hands.
Again Reyes is involved for the away side as he collects possession before turning and attempting to feed Negredo, but his pass is just too long for the striker, much to the frustration of his manager. However, it has been a decent response from the away side since falling behind.
It's good sportsmanship from the home side as Carlos Martinez plays the ball out of play in order for Kondogbia to receive treatment. The talented Frenchman returns to his feet soon after and is deemed fit to continue. Sociedad regain the possession and continue to play their impressive passing football with 24 minutes on the clock.
End-to-end football at the moment as Vela attacks the Sevilla penalty area before losing possession and allowing Reyes to carry the ball forward. However, once more the delivery is wide of the target. The pressing style from Sociedad has been extremely effective thus far.
Another half-chance for the home side as Griezmann fires a high cross towards the far post, but Ifran cannot make contact and Botia clears the danger. The resulting corner is taken by Prieto, but Kondogbia rises highest to thump clear. The Frenchman is going to be some midfielder in the coming seasons.
More frustration for the away side as Negredo drives into the Sociedad half, but he is quickly surrounded by three defenders and the danger is cleared. There really is a strange atmosphere inside the ground this evening. It is almost like a training match.
CHANCE! Sociedad come close to adding their second of the evening as Pardo collects possession on the edge of the box before thumping an effort towards the top corner, but Lopez just manages to punch the danger clear. It is so important that Sevilla do not go two behind in this match.
Decent period of possession for Sevilla in the past couple of moments with Negredo, Manu and Reyes all involved, but once more Sociedad clear the danger with relative ease. It is just too easy to read for the home side.
CHANCE! Suddenly Navas springs into life for Sevilla as he dances past the challenge of De la Bella before firing a wonderful cross into the penalty area, but Negredo just cannot make contact as it flashes along the box. Little over 10 minutes of the half remaining.
Sevilla continue to enjoy plenty of the ball as they pass and probe in the Sociedad half, but the home team are comfortable in sitting back and dealing with the danger. They attempt to break with Vela searching out the run of Ifran, but Botia comes across to clear the danger.
It is difficult to see how Ifran fits into this Sociedad side in my opinion. He always seems to take an extra touch on the ball and therefore slow down the flow of their attacks. Saying that, he will probably now score five goals in the second period. Meanwhile, Inigo Martinez picks up a yellow card for a challenge on Reyes.
The resulting free kick is eventually taken by Reyes, but his effort is poor and straight into the Sociedad wall. The pressure continues as Navas attempts to latch onto a long pass from Gary Medel, but De la Bella steps across to quell the threat.
The referee has been incredibly lenient here as he lets Spahic off a second yellow card for a blatant foul in the middle of the pitch. Sevilla could quite easily have been reduced to 10 men once more. Nothing much to report in terms of chances in the past few moments. Little over three minutes of the opening half remaining.
Still Sevilla pressure Sociedad with possession in and around the home side's penalty area, but it cannot be said that they have really threatened to level the scores since falling behind to that Vela strike. Botia picks up a yellow card for a foul on Griezmann outside the box, but his free kick is wide of the target.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half. Sevilla continue to enjoy the majority of the possession, but Sociedad are prepared to sit in and utilise the pace of Vela on the break.
Real Sociedad 1-0 Sevilla
So there we have it. The opening period is brought to an end with Sociedad leading Sevilla courtesy of a strike from Vela with 18 minutes on the clock. As it stands, Sevilla are heading for their fourth defeat in their last five league matches.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Sevilla have shaded the possession with 52%, but they have failed to register any attempts on target. That is in contrast to Sociedad who have hit the target on two occasions, the first of which brought the only goal of the evening thus far.
As it stands Sociedad would move into seventh spot in the table. Meanwhile, Sevilla would remain in 13th position. However, they could drop into 14th if other results go against them this weekend. That would be a quite extraordinary position for Sevilla at this stage of the season. They simply have to respond in the second period.
In terms of options from the bench, Sevilla could look to youngster Bryan Rabello or Baba Diawara in the second half. That said, neither has covered themselves in glory in the last few weeks with Negredo on the sidelines. For Sociedad, they will surely continue as they are and attempt to move 2-0 ahead on the counter attack.
Here we go then. Sevilla get the action underway in the second period. No changes for either side at the interval. You just get the feeling that the next goal in this match - if there indeed is one - could have a huge say on the final result. You cannot see Sevilla coming back from 2-0 behind. But 1-1 early on changes the entire feel of the evening.
Sociedad come close to doubling their lead early in the second period as Pardo finds Griezmann in the penalty area, but the Frenchman just cannot sort out his feet in time and the danger is cleared. Meanwhile, Sevilla's passing has been incredibly wayward in the last couple of minutes.
CHANCE! Glorious opportunity for Sociedad to extend their lead as Prieto meets a Griezmann cross in the area, but somehow he fires over the crossbar from close range. The midfielder simply had to score there. It appeared harder to miss. Will that come back to haunt him at the end of this match?
GOAL! Real Sociedad 1-1 Sevilla (Medel)
Isn't that just football? Sociedad come within a whisker of extending their lead moments before Sevilla advance down the other end and level the score. It's Medel who curls his effort into the bottom corner after Bravo had flapped at a cross.
Suddenly it's Sevilla flooding forward with numbers as they attempt to move ahead in the match, but Socieded remind us of their threat with Vela striking an effort from outside the penalty area. You just get the feeling that there are more goals in this match. I backed a score draw prior to kickoff and I can certainly see that happening.
Half-chance for Sociedad as Griezmann collects possession on the left before whipping a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but Ifran cannot make contact and Botia clears the danger. You just get the feeling that the home side need a period with possession in order to stunt the progress of Sevilla, who now look the side most likely to add to their tally.
Not a great deal to report in terms of chances in the past few moments. Sociedad have managed to quell the threat from Sevilla since the match was levelled, but they continue to struggle to find that elusive final pass. It is so delicately balanced with 35 minutes of football left to play.
Negredo continues to struggle for support as he collects possession on his chest, but he is eventually surrounded by two defenders and the danger is cleared. We have not seen much from Navas and Reyes in this second period thus far. Meanwhile, the home supporters have found their voice in an attempt to raise their side.
Half-chance for the home side as Pardo strikes an effort from outside the penalty area, but it was always moving wide of the post. It has been that type of second period for Sociedad thus far. They have created good attacking opportunities, but have been unable to test Lopez with any real force.
Another half-chance for the home side as Ifran strikes a powerful effort from outside the box, but it just moved past the post. Lopez was certainly worried as he scrambled across his goal. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining and the score remains 1-1.
Both sides continue to test the opposition goalkeeper with efforts from distance, however, neither has come close to really adding to their tally. It has been the story of the evening thus far, but you just get the feeling that there is another goal in the remaining 25 minutes or so.
CHANCE! It's brilliant work from Navas as the winger cuts inside before feeding Reyes. The Spaniard collects possession before firing towards the top corner, but Bravo just gets across to make the save. Sevilla really need those two to up their play in the remaining minutes.
Meanwhile, both sides make their first change of the evening as Sevilla replace Reyes with Bryan Rabello and Sociedad introduce Zurutuza in place of Pardo. That is a strange one for me. The youngster has been their brightest player in possession. Little over 20 minutes of football to play in this match.
GOAL! Real Sociedad 2-1 Sevilla (De La Bella)
Sociedad regain their lead as Carlos Martinez fires a low cross into the penalty area and his fellow full-back Alberto de la Bella is on hand to turn home at the far post. That goal has come at the perfect time for the home side. How do Sevilla respond?
Now we will see what Sevilla are made of. They have taken off Reyes, who had arguably been one of their brightest players this evening. Now Rabello must step up to the plate. You have to worry what damage would be done should they suffer another defeat in this one.
Oh how this match has changed. It is certainly a cliché but goals really do change games. Suddenly Sevilla have gone into their shell and Sociedad are the side looking to add to their tally. Both teams still have two substitutions should they so wish. I suspect that will be the case in the final stages.
RED CARD: Coke (Sevilla): Incredible. Sevilla are reduced to 10 men once more as Coke picks up his second yellow card in quick succession for a foul on Vela. How many times are they going to shoot themselves in the foot this season?
Sevilla force a couple of corners in quick succession as they attempt to pull themselves back into the match, but the danger is cleared on both occasions. Vela is on hand to collect, but the Mexican is chopped down by Botia. Sevilla really need to keep their discipline here.
Sevilla continue to enjoy possession as we approach the final 10 minutes of the match, but they have not created a shooting opportunity since levelling in the early stages of the second period. Meanwhile, you fancy Sociedad to get another one on the counter as the away side continue to push forward.
Sevilla receive yet another booking as Fernando Navarro puts a high challenge in on Ifran. Meanwhile, they make their third change of the evening as Baba replaces Del Moral. Wouldn't it be just like football if Sevilla secured something from this match in the final moments.
Sociedad are just frustrating Sevilla at the moment as they continue to keep possession in the away side's half. Navas attempts to go it alone as he embarks on a run down the right, but once more the danger is cleared. Little over seven minutes of action remaining.
Half-chance for Sevilla as Negredo collects possession outside the penalty area before attempting to turn and release a strike, but Inigo Martinez makes the block. Meanwhile, the home side make their second change of the evening as Vela is replaced by Chory Castro for the final five minutes.
The home side make their final change of the evening as Ifran is replaced by Imanoel Agirretxe. Little over three minutes of action remaining and Kondogbia comes close with a header from close range, but Bravo spreads himself to make the save.
Sevilla continue to pressure in the latter stages as they force two corners in quick succession, but Sociedad remain firm to clear the danger. However, they have no out-ball at the moment with Vela now off the pitch. Not long remaining in this one.
Half-chance for Prieto as Griezmann finds the midfielder on the edge of the area, but he fires over the crossbar. Meanwhile, Sevilla make their final change of the evening as Botia is replaced by Antonio Manuel Luna. We are seconds away from finding out how much stoppage time will be played.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of football. Sociedad come close to their third as Chori finds Agirretxe in the box, but the striker cannot generate enough power and the Lopez collects.
Not a great deal to report in stoppage time with Sociedad enjoying possession of the ball in advanced areas. You never felt that Sevilla would have enough to come back into the match at the second time of asking. Little over 30 seconds of football to play in this match and Sociedad remain 2-1 ahead. It is almost over.
Real Sociedad 2-1 Sevilla
So there we have it. Sociedad move into seventh position in the table with a 2-1 win over Sevilla, who are just six points off the bottom of the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and join us for more La Liga football from 6.30pm tomorrow. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
