Real Sociedad climbed to eighth in the table with their second home win of the season, beating Espanyol 3-2 to make it two wins from two since Imanol Alguacil took over from Asier Garitano last month.
For Espanyol, this defeat was their seventh in their last eight matches. They reach the half way point of the championship in tenth place, on 24 points - just three points more than they had two months ago.
For Espanyol, this defeat was their seventh in their last eight matches. They reach the half way point of the championship in tenth place, on 24 points - just three points more than they had two months ago.
Imanol left top scorer Mikel Oyarzabal on the bench, recalling Juanmi to the team. Real Sociedad were without seven first team players including David Zurutuza. Luca Sangalli, who hadn't played in the league since October having suffered a mild stroke, returned to the starting XI. For Real Sociedad the formation was 4-2-3-1. Asier Illarmendi and Mikel Merino screened the back four, with Juanmi, Sangalli and Adnan Jaznuzaj just behind Willian Jose in attack.
For Espanyol, Oscar Duarte and Sergio Garcia were injured so Naldo came into defence and Esteban Granero into midfield.
The visitors made a terrible start to the game. In the third minute Merino scored from close range after Willian Jose's header came back off a post. It was the 22-year-old's second goal of the season.
Five minutes later the hosts were 2-0 up. David Lopez hand-balled a corner from Januzaj and with the help of VAR, Carlos del Cerro Grande awarded a penalty. Willians Jose drilled it beyond Diego Lopez.
At this stage Espanyol seemed dead and buried given that they'd lost their previous three away league games, they'd scored just twice in their last five league games, and they'd failed to score more than one goal in each of their last nine matches.
Rubi had gone with a 4-3-3 with a midfield of Granero, Roca (making his 50th appearance in La Liga) and Sergi Darder. 21 year old Oscar Melendo linked midfield and attack and was impressive. The youngster fed Borja Iglesias on 31 minutes and Iglesias won a corner for the visitors. From it, Granero's cross was powerfully headed home by Naldo - who scored in the Spanish top flight for the first time (45th appearance). The goal came out of the blue and gave Rubi's team increased confidence. Suddenly they were finding their passes in the midfield and playing with some belief.
In added time at the end of the half Espanyol drew level when David Lopez' cross was met by Leo Baptistao who shot against the cross bar. On the rebound Diego Llorente scored an own goal. Espanyol hadn't come back from two goals down to win a league game since October 2002, 619 games ago - but they were level at the break.
After half time they continued to pass the ball well. Full backs Didac and Roberto Rosales got forward, but credit to Real Sociedad: Aritz Elusundo and 21 year old Aihen Munoz (selected ahead of Theo Hernandez after an impressive debut at the Santiago Bernabeu last week) defended excellently. Melendo tried to pull the strings in the Espanyol midfield, he was forcing Illaramdendi and Merino to perform very well in their defensive midfield roles. Thankfully for the hosts Januzaj and Willian Jose were playing well and using the ball well when they got it.
After 62 minutes Imanol made a change, with his team being slightly outplayed. He threw on 18 year old Roberto Lopez for his La Liga debut, and within a minute the teenager won possession, which led to the winning goal. Merino's fabulous curling cross teed up Willian Jose who expertly poked the ball beyond Diego Lopez. The Brazilian celebrated his sixth goal of the season by diving into the fans who were going wild.
For the remaining 27 minutes Espanyol came forward searching for an equaliser. Pablo Piatti replaced Sergi Darder who'd had a quiet game. Then with 15 minutes remaining Merino fouled Melendo and received his second yellow card. La Real were down to 10.
Rubi sent on 20 year old Javi Puado for Granero in an attacking move, while the hosts sent on Igor Zubeldia for Januzaj and tried to protect their lead playing 4-1-3-1.
Didac missed two headers before shooting wide in the final minute. In added time Naldo headed wide.
Real Sociedad held on for their second win of the New Year, this triumph moving them up to 8th. Their next five league games are all against teams in the bottom half.
For Espanyol, this was a fourth consecutive away defeat for the first time since August 2016. They are away at Eibar next and then home to Real Madrid.
Images from Mundo Deportivo and Gazeta Esportiva
Images from Mundo Deportivo and Gazeta Esportiva
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