Celta 4 - Real Sociedad 1

Celta: Pinto; Velasco, Cáceres, Djorovic, Juanfran; Doriva, Vagner (Giovanella 60'); Karpin (Jesuli 70'), Mostovoi, Gustavo López (Manolo 87'); Catanha. 4-2-3-1.
Real Sociedad: Asper; López Rekarte, Gurrutxaga, Pikabea, Corino; Khokhlov (Gabilondo 55'), Aranburu; Collet, Idiakez, Jauregui (De Pedro 55'); Jankauskas (Sergio 70'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Celta: Mostovoi for Jesuli / Real: Corino, Khokhlov, Jauregui for Aranzábal, Tayfun, De Pedro.

Goals:
1-0. 33. Gustavo López. Finished off after good work by Catanha and Mostovoi.
2-0. 35. Catanha. Headed in Juanfran's cross.
3-0. 36.Mostovoi. Fired in Catanha's cross coming from behind.
3-1. 81. De Pedro (penalty). Following foul by Giovanella on Collet.
4-1. 85. Jesuli. From close range after another pass from Catanha.

Three goals in four minutes of magic in the first half by the Celta forwards, with Catanha right in the thick of things, took Celta to the top of the first division and left Real Sociedad reeling. Three days ago the Vigo based club were unable to score even one in 90 minutes in their UEFA cup tie against Rijeka. They certainly made up for it around the half hour mark, with Catanha even finding time to miss a penalty in between after Jauregui brought down Juanfran in the penalty area in the 34th minute. A minute later Catanha did get his name on the scoresheet, and he set up goals for Gustavo López and Mostovoi a minute either side.

Real Sociedad manager Javier Clemente's comments to his players at half time could be heard clearly in the dressing room - in the Montjuic stadium in Barcelona! To be fair to his side, they had been somewhat depleted by injuries and all, with Tayfun and Peiremans both out for some time, De Paula lying ill in bed and Aranzábal suspended. However they did appear to go absent without leave during the time that Celta got their goals, and Asper had to save from Mostovoi and Doriva as well when his defence let them through. Real's only reply in the first half was a shot from Aranburu that brushed the post.

Shortly after the break Clemente brought on De Pedro and one of his youngsters Gabilondo, and with 20 minutes to go he brought on another, Sergio Francisco, who was making his debut. Moments later Idiakez hit the post, and with ten minutes to go Esquinas Torres gave his second penalty of the evening after substitute Giovanella fouled Collet. Dead ball specialist De Pedro converted the spot kick. Celta then woke up again, and Jesuli, who had replaced Karpin, added the fourth from a pass by - guess who - Catanha. Celta go top on goal average over their local rivals Deportivo, and Real Sociedad are back to where they ended up last season, near the bottom. Clemente's foreign legion should do better this year though, once they learn each others names.