Another convincing performance. Real Sociedad beat RCD Espanyol by three goals to one in a game in which the txuri urdin, apart from a brief period at the start of the second half, were the superior side. Two goals from Willian José and a debut goal from Isak was enough to see the Guipuzcoanos take home three valuable points.
The plan was to carry on from last week’s excellent display against Atlético. And that was how the realistas set about this afternoon’s game from the off. They controlled the game from kick-off, and their superiority was evident in every move. On the quarter hour, in a text book counter, Moyá, Merino, Oyarzabal and Willian José combined to create the opening goal. The finish was perfect. Real Sociedad continued to dominate with the hosts showing more keenness than precision. The second goal was another demonstration of what this team is capable of. A defence-splitting pass from Odegaard left Portu with just Diego López to beat. He skipped around the keeper then squared to Willian José who tapped in for his second goal of the afternoon. For an away game like this, it was a perfect opening half display.
After the break, Espanyol enjoyed their best spell of the match. They frequently attacked the visitors’ area but apart from a couple of occasions, didn’t put the scoreline in any serious danger. The Guipuzcoanos mounted a series of quick counters but none of them resulted in a third goal. The game was under control but a bit of bad luck allowed the hosts to reduce the distance on the board when Zaldua turned the ball into his own net. But before the Espanyolistas could capitalise, Real Sociedad restored their two-goal cushion four minutes later with a superb individual effort from recent arrival Isak – his first goal for Real Sociedad.
It’s the second consecutive win for Imanol’s side which put them in the top half of the table. But the best is not what the team has achieved so far but what it looks like it could achieve this season. Let this feeling of hope continue to grow. Aupa Real!
Match details:
RCD Espanyol: Diego López, Víctor Sánchez (cap), Calero, Luis López, Didac Vila (Pedrosa, min.57), Darder, Marc Roca (López, min.79), Wu Lei, Granero (Campuzano, min.65), Calleri y Vargas.
Real Sociedad: Moyá, Zaldua (Le Normand, min.79), Aritz, Llorente, Monreal, Zubeldia, Merino (Zurutuza, in.83), Odegaard, Portu, Oyarzabal (cap) y Willian José (Isak, min.65).
Goals: 0-1: Willian José, min.18. 0-2: Willian José, min.34. 1-2: Zaldua (p.p.), min.71. 1-3: Isak, min.75.
Referee: Cordero Vega. Booked Granero (Espanyol).