Real Sociedad 4 - Numancia 1

Real Sociedad: Alberto; Fuentes, Corino, Pikabea, López Rekarte; Rubén Vega (Félix Guerrero 69') Aranburu, Idiakez, De Pedro (Gabilondo 53'); Jankauskas, De Paula (Khokhlov 60'). 4-4-2.
Numancia: Alvaro Nuñez; Manel (Ojeda 46'), Muñiz, Pacheta, Montoya, Clavero (David Pirri 65'); Iñaki (Marini 46'), Nagore, José Manuel; Rosu, Rubén Navarro. 5-3-2.

Team changes: Real: Fuentes for Aranzábal / Numancia: Montoya, Clavero for Soria, David Pirri.

Goals:
1-0. 02. De Paula. Header on near post after corner by De Pedro from right.
2-0. 18. Idiakez. Shot from edge of area after De Pedro free kick.
3-0. 31. Jankauskas. Controlled cross from De Pedro on chest and volleyed in.
3-1. 53. Ojeda. Took Pacheta pass on chest, turned and beat keeper.
4-1. 85. Jankauskas. Won ball off Muñiz and chipped over Nuñez.

Real Sociedad's season finally got started with their best performance of the season to date. It had been no less than seven months since their long suffering fans had seen them win at home at their Anoeta stadium, and they got rid of their frustrations in style, scoring as many goals in this match as they had in the rest of their home matches put together. Within half an hour they were already three up, with Javier De Pedro having a hand in all of them, laying on the first two from dead ball kicks for De Paula and then Idiakez to score, and then slotting through a perfect pass on the half hour mark for Jankauskas to chest down and beat Nuñez.

The Lithuanian striker, who passed a late fitness test, almost added another just after half time with a shot which Nuñez tipped on to the cross bar. But Numancia hadn't given up, with Herrera bringing on Ojeda and Marini after half time, and ten minutes later the Argentinian striker put his side back in the game with a low shot after appearing to control the ball with his arm. Periko Alonso pulled of De Pedro and De Paula, bringing on two midfielders Gabilondo and Khokhlov to regain possession of the centre of the park. A little later Julen Guerrero's brother Félix came on, his first appearance of the season after falling out with former manager Javier Clemente.

With seven minutes to go Jankauskas got his second of the night and his fifth of the season to put the result beyond doubt. As the final whistle went, the home fans gave their side a standing ovation, their long wait over. They are still not out of the relegation zone, but they are on the way back, moving level with their opponents Numancia on eleven points, behind them only on general goal average. Given the different qualities of their squads, Real should move up from here, and Numancia should be on their way down. But we said that so many times last season, and Numancia are still around. Don't write them off just yet.