Sunday night's penultimate La Liga clash pitted Villarreal against Real Sociedad at El Madrigal.
Neither side could break the deadlock in what was an end-to-end first half of football.
Villarreal took the lead just past the hour mark with a free kick from Bruno Soriano - which bounced in off Enaut Zubikari - before Denis Cheryshev made it 2-0 after 73 minutes.
The scoring was far from finished, however, with Moi Gomez adding a late double for the home side.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from El Madrigal as Villarreal welcome a resurgent Real Sociedad. Both sides enter the match in good form, with Villarreal unbeaten in their last three in the league, while Sociedad have taken four points from their two games since David Moyes took charge of the Basque club. Who will triumph this evening?
TEAMS
VILLARREAL: Asenjo; Mario. Gabriel, Ruiz, Costa; Bruno, Trigueros; Dos Santos, Cheryshev, Vietto; Uche
SOCIEDAD: Zubikarai; C.Martinez, Ansotegi, Inigo, De la Bella; Granero, Pardo, Zurutuza, Canales; Prieto; Vela
So there we have it. Villarreal boss Marcelino names an attacking XI this evening, with Denis Cheryshev, Vietto and Uche all included from the start. Bruno, meanwhile, will captain the team from midfield. Sociedad, however, are slightly more reserved. Carlos Vela is the only striker in the XI, with David Moyes packing the midfield. Xabi Prieto will be expected to provide the main support to the Mexican.
Villarreal, who currently sit seventh in La Liga, have only won four of their 11 home meetings with Sociedad in the top flight, losing three times in the process. The Yellow Submarine enter this match in good form, but Sociedad will have been buoyed by their 3-0 win over Elche last weekend, which made it seven points from their last three league matches and moved them into 14th.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. As expected, there is a stunning atmosphere inside the stadium as the home side get the first 45 minutes of action underway.
Bright start from the home side as they force a free kick with their first attack, but the set piece from Bruno is played short and Sociedad manage to quell the danger. Gaspar is down the right for Villarreal moments later, but cannot squeeze a pass past Inigo Martinez, who had Uche in extremely close proximity.
Slightly untidy start to the match in terms of challenges, but the referee has not issued a card thus far. It is Sociedad's turn to have a free kick outside the box, but Canales's effort is wide of the near post.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the opening six minutes, but there has been plenty of encouragement from both teams, with Sociedad quickly getting support to lone forward Vela.
The free kick count continues to rise, with Cheryshev coming across to fell Vela, who has been heavily involved in the opening eight minutes of this contest. Canales will take once more...
... it is Pardo that delivers towards the far post, but there are no takers and it goes for a dead ball.
CHANCE! It is a stunning chance for the home side to take the lead as Uche flicks one onto Vietto, who advances into the box, but he just spoons his effort over the crossbar.
The match continues to flow from end-to-end, with both sides threatening to open the scoring. Canales has been the main outlet for Sociedad thus far, but the Spaniard whips another cross past the far post, allowing Villarreal to restart with a goal kick. It is goalless with 13 minutes on the clock at El Madrigal.
Vietto remains bright for Villarreal as the youngster combines with Uche before driving into the box, but Inigo Martinez is on hand to make the challenge. Cheryshev is down the left moments later, but Carlos Martinez stands strong to make the clearance. Good pressure from the home side here.
Sociedad have just started to force the issue in the final third, with Vela receiving plenty of support. Clear chances have been at a premium, however, with Villarreal strong and compact in defensive areas.
Both managers have been fairly animated on the touchline thus far, with both teams guilty of conceding possession too easily in the final third of the field. Prieto appears to have a slight problem here following a clash with Bruno, but the Sociedad skipper does seem fit to continue proceedings.
Half-chance for the away side as Pardo strikes one from outside the box, but Trigueros is on hand to clear for a corner - it looked to be heading in. The resulting corner is cleared at the far post by Bruno.
Half-chance for the home side as Cheryshev collects a loose ball inside the box before firing one towards goal, but his effort never had enough power to beat the Sociedad stopper. The visitors are on the counter attack with Pardo moments later, but the Spaniard cannot evade the challenge of Paulista.
Vela has the chance to face up Ruiz inside the Villarreal box, but the centre-back comes out on top. Sociedad threaten from the resulting corner, but Asenjo comes through bodies to claim. Still goalless here.
We have not seen much of Dos Santos for the home side thus far, with the Mexican deployed in a wide area to allow Vietto and Uche into the team. Sociedad continue to threaten on the counter as De la Bella delivers a cross towards the far post, but Vela cannot rise above the two centre-backs and it is cleared.
CHANCE! Another chance for Vietto following good work from Dos Santos, but the Argentine's effort is deflected over the crossbar by Inigo. Terrific defending from the centre-back.
Not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, but it has been a decent match thus far. The home side have had the two best chances, with Vietto twice coming close to opening the scoring.
BOOKING! De la Bella is booked for hauling Vietto to the ground just outside the box. Was that a red card? Vietto was away, but Ansotegi was just about on the cover.
CLOSE! The resulting free kick is taken by Bruno, but his effort just moved high of the crossbar. Villarreal are getting closer and their supporters can certainly sense a goal here.
Half-chance for Uche this time as the Nigerian collects a pass from Bruno before striking towards goal, but Inigo is once more across to make the challenge. Villarreal continue to force the issue with two corners in quick succession, but manage to clear the danger. Still goalless at El Madrigal.
BOOKING! Vietto goes into the book for pulling Inigo Martinez to the ground.
Little over two minutes of the first period remaining and we are still goalless here. Sociedad have had some bright moments on the counter attack, but Villarreal have been the team most likely thus far.
CHANCE! Uche comes close for the home side after collecting a through pass from Bruno, but once more his effort is straight at the goalkeeper. The opportunities are arriving.
HALF-TIME: Villarreal 0-0 Real Sociedad
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two sides level at 0-0. Sociedad have had their moments on the counter attack, but Villarreal have been the team most likely to open the scoring. So far so good for David Moyes, who is still unbeaten with Sociedad. Will that continue?
STATS! The home side have shaded the possession with 54%, while they have had six attempts - two of which have been on target. Sociedad, meanwhile, have had five attempts, but thus far failed to hit the target. There has also been two bookings, with De la Bella and Vietto those carded.
BENCH WATCH! Villarreal have a number of attacking players on their bench this evening in the shape of Espinosa, Gomez and Pina. Meanwhile, Sociedad have the likes of Castro, Finnbogason and Berchiche in reserve. Which manager will blink first in terms of alterations?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Will we have a breakthrough at El Madrigal? It is the away side that get the second period underway.
No changes from either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains level for the next 20 minutes or so.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be crucial in this type of match. Sociedad have lined up with the aim of not getting beat, but Villarreal will continue to turn the screw as the second period advances. Fairly low-key start to the half, but Villarreal have had more of the ball.
BOOKING! Costa is booked for a poor challenge on Martinez.
Vela is again at the forefront of the Sociedad challenge, but the Mexican has been isolated in the early stages of the second period. The attacker does force a free kick in a good position after driving past Ruiz, but the resulting set piece from Canales is cleared at the near post. Poor delivery from the midfielder.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Costa drives down the left before delivering a cross towards the head of Dos Santos, but Inigo is on hand to clear for yet another Villarreal corner.
CHANCE! Vietto has another chance for the home side after showing excellent feet on the edge of the box, but his final effort is pushed over the crossbar by the Sociedad stopper.
POST! It is Vietto again as the Argentine meets a loose ball just outside the box, but his low effort smashes the foot of the post. The Villarreal forward could have easily had a hat-trick!
Sociedad have a free kick in an advanced area as Mario brings Vela to the ground...
... Canales once again takes the set piece, but he smashes his effort straight into the wall. Vela picks up the pieces outside the box, but his effort is straight into the arms of Asenjo, who collects with ease.
Vietto - who could have had four tonight - continues to threaten as he strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Still goalless with little under 30 minutes of normal time remaining. You just get the feeling that one goal could be enough to claim all the points.
Still no movement on either bench, but I suspect that it will not be long. Villarreal continue to look the team more likely, with Prieto conceding a free kick for a foul on Uche just outside the box...
... GOAL! Villarreal 1-0 Sociedad (Bruno)
It just had to be Bruno didn't it? The midfielder has been excellent this evening and opens the scoring with a free kick. Bruno's effort smashed the crossbar before hitting Zubikari and falling over the line.
SUB! Sociedad make their first change as Castro is replaced by Castro.
It may well be that Bruno has that goal taken away from him. On second look, the ball hit Sociedad goalkeeper Zubikarai before dropping over the line. For now, it is Bruno's goal!
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to score their second as Dos Santos delivers a low cross towards Cheryshev, but the Russian's volley is just high of the crossbar.
BOOKING! Inigo is booked for a rash challenge on Uche.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and Villarreal look good for a second goal here. Sociedad remain a threat on the counter attack, but it is the Yellow Submarine that look the most likely.
Half-chance for the home side as Uche drives to the edge of the box, but his low effort is wide of the post.
Dos Santos continues to impress in a wide area for the home side, with the Mexican's crossing causing all sorts of problems. Villarreal are preparing to make their first change of the match here.
POST! Vietto hits the post for the second time this evening following a low drive from the edge of the box. The Argentine really, really deserves to be on then scoresheet.
GOAL! Villarreal 2-0 Sociedad (Cheryshev)
Villarreal have their second goal of the match as Cheryshev collects a loose ball inside the box before firing one into the bottom corner. Brilliant finish from the Russian!
SUB! The home side make their first change as Gomez replaces Uche.
Little over 10 minutes of football remaining at El Madrigal and Villarreal are comfortable. Sociedad have had some decent moments on the counter, but there is little doubting that the right time is ahead.
SUB! Sociedad make their second change as Finnbogason replaces Zurutuza.
Possession football from Sociedad in the last couple of minutes, but they have not really threatened to get back into this match. I suspect that David Moyes will have some stern words to say in the dressing room. The home side are preparing to make another change with 80 minutes on the clock here.
GOAL! Villarreal 3-0 Sociedad (Gomez)
Stunning goal from the home side as Gomez combines with Cheryshev before flashing one into the back of the net. That is really excellent from the Yellow Submarine, who are running riot here.
SUB! Villarreal make their second change as Moreno replaces Cheryshev.
SUB! Third and final change for Villarreal as Pina replaces the brilliant Bruno.
It is exciting times for the home side, with Moreno and Vietto forming an exciting front two. Villarreal have another half-chance following a period of pinball inside the Sociedad box, but Inigo manages to hack clear following an attempt from Mario. Little under five minutes of normal time remaining.
GOAL! Villarreal 4-0 Sociedad (Gomez)
Horror moment for the Sociedad goalkeeper as he allows a fairly tame effort from Gomez to trickle into the back of the net. David Moyes turns away and cannot believe what he has seen.
SUB! Sociedad make their third change as Hervas replaces Canales.
Another half-chance for the home side as Trigueros strikes one from outside the box, but Zubikari is across to make the save. It could easily be five with Villarreal really forcing the issue here.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to score a fifth, but Trigueros's effort is pushed over the crossbar by Zubikari. Good goalkeeping from the Spaniard.
Moreno attempts to get in on the act for the home side, but the youngster cannot dance past the final challenge. It is almost over for Sociedad, who cannot wait for the final whistle.
FULL-TIME: Villarreal 4-0 Sociedad
So there we have it. Villarreal thump Sociedad 4-0 to return to sixth spot in La Liga. David Moyes has indeed tasted his first defeat in Spain. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
