Quickfire doubles at the start of both halves helped Real Sociedad to record a 5-0 victory from their trip to fellow strugglers Espanyol this evening.

Eusebio Sacristan's men headed to the Estadi Cornella-El Prat without a victory in their last six away La Liga encounters - a run that dated back to late October when David Moyes was still at the helm.

However, from the moment that Jonathas pounced on a defensive error in the fifth minute to break the deadlock, the visitors were in complete control.

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Ex-Arsenal striker Carlos Vela doubled Sociedad's advantage just three minutes later when his lobbed effort got the better of Espanyol goalkeeper Giedrius Arlauskis.

Eighteen-year-old Mikel Oyarzabal's first senior goal for the Basque Country-based outfit in the 52nd minute made it 3-0 - a goal that was met by a barrage of jeers from the home faithful.

The hostile atmosphere then intensified further when Diego Reyes added a fourth goal with his head in the 55th minute to end any slim chance of a comeback for the hosts.

As the match ticked towards stoppage time Sociedad nabbed a fifth goal as Brazilian centre-forward Jonathas fired inside the right-hand post from close range.

The win has lifted Sociedad up to 11th position, five points ahead of Espanyol in 17th.