Real Sociedad travelled to Real Valladolid on Monday looking to improve on a record of four away defeats in La Liga this season.
They drew first blood through Antoine Griezmann in a tight first period, but the home side were level two minutes before the break when Patrick Ebert converted from distance.
Griezmann grabbed his second of the match with a fine effort after 57 minutes, but a late Oscar effort secured a point for Valladolid.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Good evening all! Well, what another pulsating weekend of action it was in Spain's top division. Barcelona keep on winning, but what about the form of Atletico Madrid?! However, tonight week nine is concluded as Sociedad travel to Valladolid.
Team News: Valladolid pair Bueno and Javi Guerra in attack once more. Meanwhile, Antoine Griezmann has recovered from a slight knock to start for the away side.
Teams:
Valladolid: Hernandez; Rukavina, Valiente, Sereno, Balenziaga; Oscar, Omar, Rubio, Perez; Bueno, Guerra
Sociedad: Zubikarai; Gonzalez, Martinez, Estrada, De La Bella; Bergara, Illarramendi, Prieto; Griezmann, Agirretxe, Vela
Let's take a look at how both sides have fared in the league thus fat. Valladolid began their league campaign with back-to-back wins over Real Zaragoza and Levante. However, three straight defeats then occurred against Athletic Bilbao, Real Betis and Atletico Madrid.
They returned to winning form with a thumping 6-1 home win over Rayo Vallecano. However, they are without a win in their last two league games after drawing at home to Espanyol and losing 2-1 to Malaga away.
Meanwhile, Sociedad began their league campaign with a 5-1 defeat to Barcelona, but they returned to winning ways one week later against Celta Vigo. Defeat then followed against Mallorca, before they recorded all three points against Real Zaragoza.
Their run of win-loss continued against Levante and Athletic Bilbao, but they have lost their last two games away to Real Betis and at home to Atletico Madrid. However, they were beaten by a last-minute goal by Radamel Falcao in that one.
Right, we are around seven minutes from kickoff. My pre-match prediction is a 1-1 draw. Let's just hope for some excitement on this mild evening in Spain.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch. Just a reminder that a victory for the home side would move them into eighth. Meanwhile, Sociedad can jump as high as ninth with all three points.
Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Let's get the Monday night La Liga action underway. Week nine ends here.
Here we go then. Sociedad kick us off. Let's hope for some goals.
Decent start from the away side as Agirretxe attempts to find the run of Vela, but the striker cannot make contact. Meanwhile, the away fans are in good voice at the moment.
Chance! Oh my word. Wonderful opportunity for the away side as Castro dances into the Valladolid box, but he fires wide of the target from close range. He really should have scored.
It just isn't quite happening for the home side at the moment. Omar picks up possession in an advanced area, but he cannot find Guerra. Sociedad have certainly started the better side.
Again the away side come close as Vela finds Griezmann in an advanced area. However, Valiente clears the danger before Rubio strikes a long-range effort down the other end.
Valladolid have just started to take control of the possession in the past few moments. However, they are finding it difficult to find that elusive final pass. We remain goalless after 10 minutes.
Again it's decent play from the home side as Rueda and Ebert convert down the right, but the latter's cross is behind for a goal kick. Still no real chances for Valladolid. This match just needs something to spark it off.
End-to-end stuff at the moment as Vela flood forward for Sociedad, but Rukavina makes the challenge before releasing Rubio. Both sides are enjoying spells of possession at the moment.
Half-chance for the home side as Omar and Guerra combine in attack, but Castro is on hand to clear the danger. That's good tracking from the midfielder. It's a really even contest with 16 minutes on the clock.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Illarramendi strikes a free kick from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the target. The tempo has slowed in the past few moments.
Both sides continue to press well in the early stages. However, the early fluency is just not there. It's a bit of a nothing game at the moment. The game really needs a goal.
Half-chance for Valladolid as Ebert strikes a free kick from outside the box. However, Zubikarai pushes the danger wide of the post. Suddenly we have some excitement as Sociedad force the danger clear.
So nearly a chance for the away side as Hernandez plays a poor clearance straight to Greizmann, but the attacker just cannot collect and is crowded out. The game has just moved up a couple of gears.
Chance! Clearest opening for the home side as Rubio whips a dangerous cross into the Sociedad box, but Omar cannot make contact. All it needed was a slight touch.
The home supporters continue to raise the volume as Omar meets a Rubio cross, but his header is straight at the away side's goalkeeper. Best spell of the match in terms of attacking intent.
We have seen nothing from Sociedad in the last 10 minutes or so. Valladolid are hardly throwing the kitchen sink, but they do look the most likely as we enter the latter stages of the half.
Chance! Again the home side come close as Ebert strikes a powerful effort from outside the box, but Zubikarai gathers the danger. The match is so delicately poised at the moment.
Eder remains the threat for Valladolid as he whips a low cross into the penalty area, but the danger is cleared. It is simply all one-way traffic as we approach the final 10 minutes of the half.
Rare venture forward from the away side as Castro finds himself on the edge of the box, but his powerful effort is blocked.
GOAL! Real Valladolid 0-1 Real Sociedad (Griezmann)
Where did that come from?! Sociedad take the lead as Antoine Griezmann pounces on a loose ball inside the box to hook the ball home.
The French attacker has not been in this game thus far. He has had maybe three touches. However, his side are ahead. How will the home side react?
Chance! Oh my word! So nearly an equaliser as Ebert whips a wonderful cross into the box, but Guerra's header is palmed away by Zubikarai. What a save from the 28-year-old.
Ebert has certainly been the bright spark for the home side. However, his best efforts have not been enough for Valladolid thus far. Meanwhile, Sociedad are suddenly a real threat on the break.
GOAL! Real Valladolid 1-1 Real Sociedad (Ebert)
What was I saying about Patrick Ebert? Wonderful from the midfielder as he strikes a low effort from 30 yards into the back of the net.
You might question the Sociedad goalkeeper there, but it was a good strike. Meanwhile, the home side go in search of their second in the latter moments of the half.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of added time at the end of the half.
Real Valladolid 1-1 Real Sociedad
So there we have it. Sociedad took the lead against the run of play when Griezmann converted from close range after 38 minutes. However, the home side were level with an Ebert strike two minutes before the break.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Valladolid have dominated possession with 57%, while they have had seven shots to Sociedad's three.
The home side have also managed a better pass success rate with 80% to 70%. However, they did receive two yellow cards in the first period.
Looking ahead to the second period. It would surprise me if either team made a change at the interval. Sociedad will be happy with the score if not the performance. However, the home side will surely feel that the chances will continue to come as they are.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second 45 minutes. Will Valladolid continue their strong run at home? Or can Sociedad secure their first away win of the season?
Valladolid kick us off in the second period. Let's hope it starts the same way that the first half finished.
Decent start from the away side as they force an early corner. Castro whips a dangerous ball into the box, but the danger is cleared. Nice tempo to the early stages.
Chance! Sociedad spring into life as Vela finds Griezmann in the box, but the Frenchman thumps his effort against the crossbar. What a chance. That really should have been 2-1.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Omar strikes a long-range effort. However, his shot is high and wide. That's really poor. End-to-end stuff at the moment.
There remains a nice tempo to the match as both sides take it in turns to launch attacks. However, the elusive final pass has deserted both thus far. This one really could go underway.
The home side have just upped the tempo in the past few moments with Omar causing problems in attack. However, Inigo Martinez has been impressive in the heart of the Sociedad defence thus far.
GOAL! Real Valladolid 1-2 Real Sociedad (Greizmann)
Wow. It's simply wonderful from Greizmann as he whips a long-range effort into the top corner from outside the box.
That really was top draw from the youngster. He hit the crossbar early in the second period, but my word he has made up for it. How do the home side respond?
First change of the match for the home side as Omar is replaced by Alberto Bueno. Meanwhile, Rubio fires a long-range effort wide of the post.
Little over 30 minutes remaining in this match. As it stands Sociedad are heading for their first away win of the season. And they are the side carrying the attacking threat at the moment.
It just isn't quite happening for Valladolid at the moment. Bueno carries the ball forward and attempts to find Guerra, but Martinez clears the danger. Meanwhile, Vela appears to have an injury problem.
Vela seems fine to continue as he returns to his feet. Meanwhile, his manager has just passed instructions to the Mexican. Valladolid are really struggling at the moment.
The match has just become ever so scrappy in the past few moments with both sides giving away a host of fouls. Meanwhile, Ebert remains the biggest threat for the home side.
Change for the home side as Juan Neira replaces Rubio. Can he inspire his team in the remaining 20 minutes or so? Meanwhile, Sociedad also make a change as Vela is replaced by Xavi Prieto.
Decent spell for the home side at the moment with Ebert and Guerra combining in attacking areas. However, their final ball has just deserted them.
Another change for the away side as Castro is replaced by Jose Angel. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining. Valladolid are pushing forward at the moment.
GOAL! Real Valladolid 2-2 Real Sociedad (Oscar)
Valladolid level! And it's Oscar who scores his fifth league goal of the season with a header from inside the box. Wonderful finish.
Now, now, now. We have 15 minutes remaining and you can just sense that there is a winner coming. Ebert played a huge role in that goal once more.
End-to-end football at the moment as both sides go in search of that elusive next goal. Meanwhile, the challenges continue to fly in. Someone is going to get sent off here.
Change for the away side as Ruben Pardo replaces Griezmann. The Frenchman has been impressive this evening. Little under 10 minutes of normal time remaining.
Not a great deal happening at the moment truth be told. Both sides are exchanging possession but with no real threat. It is going to take something special to win this one.
Valladolid pass and probe inside the Sociedad half with Oscar and Guerra involved. However, the final ball is just not there at the moment.
Half-chance for the home side as Omar whips a dangerous ball into the box, but Zubikarai clears the danger. Meanwhile, Guerra is just crowded out in the penalty area.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of added time. Will we have a winner?
Both sides continue to threaten in the latter stages. However, a Sociedad effort just moves over the crossbar. Time is running out. We are into the last minute.
CHANCE! Wonderful effort from Angel as he strikes one from all of 70 yards, but Hernandez just palms it over the crossbar. Oh my word!
Real Valladolid 2-2 Real Sociedad
Wow. What a finish! Sociedad came close to winning it late on. However, they have secured their first away point of the season with a 2-2 draw at Valladolid.
So there we have it. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for Copa del Rey football tomorrow. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
