Real Sociedad and Valencia clashed at the Estadio Municipal de Anoeta on Sunday with both sides eyeing a Champions League position.
It was the away side that opened the scoring after 25 minutes when Roberto Soldado headed an Aly Cissokho cross into the back of the net. However, Inigo Martinez levelled for Sociedad in the latter stages of the half.
Sociedad took the lead after 73 minutes when Gonzalo Castro finished from close range, before they added their third late on courtesy of Imanol Agirretxe.
Valencia did score late on through Jonas, but Agirretxe made sure of the points with his second in the 94th minute.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga live commentary of the night comes from the Municipal de Anoeta as Sociedad welcome Valencia. Both sides are in the hunt for Champions League football as we approach the latter stages of the season, with this result expected to have a huge bearing on the final outcome.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Sociedad have enjoyed the best of it with three wins to Valencia’s two. In fact, Sociedad have won each of the last three matches between the pair. As mentioned, they were 5-2 winners at the Mestalla earlier in the season. Can they repeat that feat this evening?
As it stands, Sociedad currently sit in fourth position in the table on 55 points, while Valencia, who are sixth, have 53 points. Sociedad have been strong on their own patch this season with nine wins from their 16 matches, but Valencia have not lost in their last five league fixtures, taking 11 points during that period.
TEAMS:
SOCIEDAD: Bravo; Mikel, C Martinez, I Martinez, De la Bella; Castro, Prieto, Illarra, Bergara; Agirretxe, Vela
VALENCIA: Alves; Pereira, Costa, Mathieu, Cissokho; Albelda, Banega, Feghouli, Parejo; Soldado, Jonas
So there we have it. Just a quick word on the main team news this evening. No Antoine Griezmann for the home side, but Carlos Vela does start in attack alongside Agirretxe. Valencia, meanwhile, are without Tino Costa, but Dani Parejo does come into the side. There are also starts for Roberto Soldado and Jonas. Right, the away side get the action underway.
Bright start from the home side as Vela collects possession outside the box before driving past Cissokho, but his effort just whistles past the far post. Wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. Perfect for a game that is of such importance to both teams. High-tempo opening to proceedings.
It's really smart work from Soldado down the other end as he collects possession on the edge of the box, but Carlos Martinez fells the Spaniard. The resulting free kick, which is taken by Banega, is cleared, with Vela leading the counter, but the Mexican's final pass is just too long for Bergara, who had made a late run into the box.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee called into action to deal with a number of challenges. The latest free kick allows Mathieu the chance to strike a free kick, but Bravo is across to make a fine save. Where did that come from?! What an opening six minutes to this match.
Feghouli is next to come close as the midfielder meets a low cross from Jonas, but he can only fire his effort high and wide of the crossbar. Sociedad attempt to break with Vela, but once more the Mexican is surrounded by black shirts. You just get the feeling that the first goal could be all-important this evening.
Another half-chance for the away side as Banega collects a pass from Soldado before striking an effort towards the bottom corner, but it just moves wide of the post at the vital moment. It has been one-way traffic in the opening 10 minutes of the match. It appears that Ernesto Valverde's side have picked up from where they left off against Malaga last weekend.
The match has just settled in the last couple of moments with both sides enjoying periods with possession. Another half-chance does arrive for Valencia as Soldado meets a low cross from Jonas, but the Spaniard's effort never had enough power to trouble Bravo. Not too much from the likes of Vela and Agirretxe in the opening 12 minutes of football.
Suddenly Vela bursts into life as he collects possession in the box before turning and striking towards goal, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. It really has been a breakthrough season for the former Arsenal striker. Still no goals in Sociedad, but an extremely bright opening to proceedings.
Sociedad have just started to demonstrate their threat on the counter in the last few moments with Vela and Xabi Prieto both drawing fouls from the Valencia defence. The away side remain a danger, however, as Soldado strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the post, before Agirretxe fires wide down the other end.
The wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium remains as the home supporters continue to make their voices known. Sociedad respond to the noise as De la Bella whips a dangerous cross into the box, but Mathieu is on hand to make a fine challenge, with Prieto seemingly on hand to tap home from close range. Much better from the home side.
The corner count continues to rise as Sociedad force two in quick succession. However, the first is cleared by Jonas before the second is collected by Alves. Valencia do look slightly nervous in defence at the moment, but they have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight matches. Luckily, they have found the goal trial in the last few weeks. Another free kick arrives for Valencia moments later as Inigo Martinez fells Soldado.
The resulting free kick is taken by Jonas, but his effort just moves wide of the post. Well, we have played 23 minutes of football this evening and the two sides appear incredibly well-matched. Both deserve to be in the Champions League next season, but that simply will not happen. A win for Sociedad this evening would make them huge favourites with five matches remaining.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Castro collects a header from Agirretxe, but Mathieu is across to make a fine challenge at the vital moment. Feghouli is the target for Banega's pass down the other end, but Bravo is out to clear. Hardly time to take a breath as Ricardo Costa makes a wonderful challenge to deny Castro.
GOAL! Sociedad 0-1 Valencia (Soldado)
First blood to Valencia! The away side take the lead as Soldado meets a cross from Cissokho to score his 18th league goal of the season. Wonderful glancing header from the Spanish striker. That is a real blow to Sociedad at this stage of the match.
Silence in the stadium as Soldado hands Valencia the lead. However, it is so important that the home supporters stay with their side this evening. You just get the feeling that we could see a glut of goals as both sides continue to attack. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
The home side want a penalty as Vela goes down in the box, but the referee is not interested. Mathieu wants a yellow card for the Mexican, but the official does not take any action. It is important that Sociedad keep their discipline this evening. Not a match for the faint-hearted as the challenges continue to fly in.
Another half-chance for the away side as Soldado collects a pass from Jonas before chipping the goalkeeper, but Bravo appears to handle outside the box. No decision from the referee, however. As expected, the Spanish striker is fuming. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining in Sociedad.
It's wonderful football from the home side once more as Prieto and Agirretxe combine outside the box before finding Vela, but the Mexican just cannot evade the challenge of Albelda. It has become slightly bitty in the last few minutes with the referee forced to deal with a number of challenges. However, Valencia will not mind with their one-goal lead intact.
GOAL! Sociedad 1-1 Valencia (Inigo Martinez)
Sociedad level! Wonderful from the home side as Inigo Martinez peels off in the box before thumping a left-footed volley into the back of the net. He has scored four goals this season, but that is the most important by some distance.
I had a feeling that this match would be the game of the weekend. It is certainly living up to that tag thus far. Just a reminder that there are currently just two points between these two sides, with Sociedad sitting fourth and Valencia occupying fifth. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining.
Mathieu becomes the last player to have his name taken for a poor challenge on Vela, with the former Arsenal striker advancing on goal. The resulting free kick is taken by the Mexican, but it just moves wide of the post. Alves is fuming as he remonstrates with his wall. Excellent strike from Vela.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of losing possession in the middle of the pitch. Soldado does try his luck from outside the box, but Bravo was always comfortable in claiming the danger. Little over three minutes of the first period remaining.
Again Vela is a threat for the home side as the Mexican combines with Castro before advancing into the box, but once more Costa is across to make a fine challenge. In truth, this has been just about as well-matched as you could expect. Neither side deserves to enter the interval behind.
Slightly subdued atmosphere in the latter stages of the half with the supporters making their way to the refreshment stands. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half.
HALF-TIME: Sociedad 1-1 Valencia
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 1-1. It was Valencia that took the lead after 25 minutes courtesy of a fine header from Soldado, but Inigo Martinez levelled for the home side nine minutes later. A draw at this stage is certainly a fair reflection of what we have seen.
STATISTICS: Sociedad have just about shaded the possession this evening with 53%, while both sides have had six attempts. However, just one of the home side's attempts - their goal - was on target. Meanwhile, Valencia have tested Bravo on three separate occasions. As it stands, Valencia would move above Malaga into fifth position.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a host of attacking options on the bench in the shape of Diego Ifran, David Zurutuza and Daniel Estrada. Meanwhile, Valencia have the likes of Pablo Piatti, Nelson Valdez and Andres Guardado in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval which is not too surprising at this stage of events. In truth, a point would not be the worst result for either of these two sides, certainly not for Sociedad. Right, the home side get the half underway.
Half-chance for the home side in the early stages of the half as Prieto delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but Castro just cannot make contact, with Ricardo Costa easing the forward out. Valencia have a half-chance down the other end moments later as Soldado strikes from distance, but it is wide of the post.
It's really bright work from Feghouli this time as the Valencia midfielder beats two defenders before driving into the Sociedad box, but the midfielder just handles at the vital moment. In keeping with the end-to-end period of the match, Vela fires a low cross into the Valencia box, but Costa thumps clear for what seems like the 100th time.
Both sides are approaching this match as if it is the final 10 minutes with each committing numbers to each attack. However, the tempo has just been slowed in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. In fairness, it has not been that type of match.
Again Vela is involved for the home side as he beats the offside trap before meeting a cross from Illara, but Mathieu's presence was enough to put the Mexican off at the final moment. No changes for either side thus far, but I suspect that will change in the next 15 minutes or so. I would be astounded if the likes of Ifran and Valdez were not introduced.
Another half-chance for the away side as Pereira advances forward from defence before firing a cross into the box, but it just would not fall for Soldado, who had pulled away from his marker. Meanwhile, Sociedad boss Montanier lets his frustration known on the sidelines. Free kick for Valencia moments later as Inigo Martinez fells Jonas.
The resulting free kick is taken by Mathieu, but this time the Frenchman's effort is straight into the arms of Bravo. Not too much from the home side in the last few moments, but Vela's pace is always a threat. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in Sociedad, with the two sides still level at 1-1.
The foul count continues to rise as Pereira twice fells Castro in quick succession. The resulting free kick is taken by Prieto, but Cissokho is on hand to clear for a corner. The set piece also causes problems in the box, but Alves comes through a host of traffic to clear the danger.
Half-chance for Soldado once more as the striker thumps an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the post. Slight bit of controversy moments later as Vela appears to elbow Soldado, but the referee takes no interest. Will we have a goal in the remaining 30 minutes or so?
Good pressure from the away side in the last couple of moments with Soldado and Jonas both having efforts from outside the box, but neither really threatens to add to the scoring. In keeping with the end-to-end tempo, Sociedad force the ball into the opposing box moments later, but the danger is cleared by Mathieu.
Another deep cross into the Sociedad box causes problems, but Inigo Martinez just manages to clear under pressure from Soldado, who had once more made a late run into the box. Sociedad just cannot get out of their own half at the moment, meanwhile, with Agirretxe starved off possession.
Vela is in the wars once more as the Mexican is chopped down by Albelda. The resulting free kick is taken by Inigo Martinez, but it fails to beat the first man. However, another free kick arrives moments later as Soldado fells Castro outside the box.
Oh my word. We have just seen a replay from an earlier incident where Cissokho handled in the penalty area. He has already been booked, which would have seen him sent from the pitch. Someone is smiling on the away side this evening. Little under 20 minutes of football remaining with the two sides still level at 1-1.
Another half-chance for the home side as De la Bella strikes an effort from outside the box, but it just whistles past the far post. Both sides are just exchanging periods of possession, but neither can find that elusive pass in the final third. Will we have a winner in the final 15 minutes or so?
Again it's really bright work from Pereira as the Portuguese drives down the right before delivering a low cross into the box, but once more Inigo Martinez is across to cleat at the vital moment. Jonas forces the issue moments later, but the Brazilian is chopped down by Bergara. It is a surprise that we still have all 22 players on the pitch. Meanwhile, change for Valencia as Feghouli is replaced by Piatti.
GOAL! Sociedad 2-1 Valencia (Castro)
Sociedad lead! Wonderful counter attack from the home side as Castro collects a pass from Agirretxe before thumping a low effort into the back of the net. What a time to take the lead.
Sociedad go in search of their third as Vela strikes an effort from outside the box, but it whistles wide of the post. Valencia have a half-chance of their own moments later as Cissokho fires a low cross into the box, but Carlos Martinez is across to clear.
Another change for the away side as Guardado replaces Albelda. Meanwhile, Sociedad make a change as Castro is replaced by Zurutuza. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining. Will we have late drama? What a three points it would be for Sociedad if they can hang on.
Valencia force the issue as they pass and probe outside the Sociedad box, but the home side continue to repel the danger. A corner from Guardado threatens to cause problems, but Carlos Martinez is first to the ball. Meanwhile, final Valencia change as Valdez replaces Cissokho.
It is a case of anywhere will do for Sociedad at the moment as they continue to repel each long ball into the box. However, we have seen it all too often from Valencia this season, they always seem to come alive late on. That almost happens as Soldado finds room in the box, but his effort is deflected high and wide of the crossbar.
You just get the feeling that there is going to be a late sting in the tail here. A half-chance comes to the home side as Agirretxe strikes an effort from close range, but Alves gets down low to make a fine save. That has kept his side in the match. Little over five minutes of football remaining in Sociedad.
GOAL! Sociedad 3-1 Valencia (Agirretxe)
It's wonderful from the home side once more as Sociedad score their third of the evening on the counter. It's Agirretxe who finds the back of the net from close range following a fine cross from Prieto. Game over.
Valencia continue to force the issue with high balls into the Sociedad box, but it is playing into the hands of Carlos Martinez and Inigo Martinez. They have just faded in the second period. Meanwhile, change for the home side as Illarra is replaced by Ruben Pardo.
GOAL! Sociedad 3-2 Valencia (Jonas)
Jonas scores! Poor mistake from Bravo as the goalkeeper palms it straight to the Brazilian, who finishes from close range. We will play an additional four minutes. Another change for the home side as Zubikarai replaces Prieto, who has been wonderful this evening.
Half-chance for the away side as Mathieu strikes another free kick from outside the box, but it smashes into the wall. Meanwhile, Sociedad manage to quell the danger as Carlos Martinez is felled in his own box. Little over one minute of stoppage time remaining.
GOAL! Sociedad 4-2 Valencia (Agirretxe)
The points are indeed secure as Agirretxe scores a stunning fourth from close range. No change for Alves, who is rooted to the spot. That is game, set and match. What a game.
FULL-TIME: Sociedad 4-2 Valencia
Phew! What a match! The result has moved Sociedad five points clear of Valencia, who remain in sixth position. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for more La Liga football tomorrow. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
