Real Sociedad 2 - Valencia 0

Real Sociedad: Alberto; López Rekarte, Kvarme, Luiz Alberto, Aranzábal; Xabi Alonso, Aranburu; Tayfun, Khokhlov, De Pedro (Gabilondo 58'); Jankauskas (De Paula 85'). 4-2-3-1.
Valencia: Cañizares; Curro Torres, Ayala, Pellegrino, Carboni; Rufete (Mista 55'), Albelda (Aimar 70'), Marchena, Vicente (Kily González 23'); Juan Sánchez, John 'Alieu' Carew. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Real: Aranburu for Idiakez / Valencia: Cañizares, Marchena, Vicente, Carew for Palop, Kily González, Aimar, Salva.

Goals:
1-0. 37. Jankauskas. Took through ball from De Pedro and shot low past keeper.
2-0. 65. Jankauskas (penalty). After Ayala ruled to have pulled back Aranzábal.

Valencia's unbeaten record in all competitions finally went as they were defeated by a superior Real Sociedad. After 19 games without a loss they went down without much of a fight, with the weight of their record (and their midweek scrap with Celtic in the UEFA cup) apparently weighing too much on their shoulders. Having not scored in their last two league games, Rafa Benítez brought in Carew for the match with the Scottish side, and he kept his place alongside Sánchez to the detriment of Salva. Aimar was left out as he opted for the more defensive Marchena, and Cañizares was in goal after returning on Thursday night following a two month lay off for a broken rib.

The big news in the press during the week had been the manager's bust up with Kily González, although they had apparently made their peace and Kily started as substitute, coming on for Vicente halfway through the first half when the youngster went off injured. Real Sociedad's Jankauskas had also been in the news recently when Toshack told the press that a striker without goals is like a pub without beer, but it was drinks all round as the Lithuanian centre forward (who only passed a fitness test minutes before kick off) scored twice in the match to give his side victory. The first came in the 37th minute from De Pedro's pass, and only great goalkeeping by Cañizares kept out a series of shots from the Real forwards just before half time.

Injuries struck again after the break, with Rufete stretchered off and De Pedro limping to the changing rooms within a couple of minutes of each other. Referee Turienzo Alvarez awarded a controversial penalty a few minutes later when Aranzábal went down a little too easily in the area after Ayala caught him from behind, and Jankauskas converted the spot kick. A few minutes later Valencia were forced to make their third change when Albelda twisted his ankle, but Aimar came on in his place to little effect. Valencia seemed to have given up, and only a couple more saves by Cañizares from Jankauskas and Khoklov stopped Real from a bigger win. With Mallorca and Tenerife both winning as well they stay in next to bottom place, but they are now only a point away from safety. Valencia drop a place to fifth, and with their over-demanding fans already starting to lose patience, Benítez has to try and work out how to get them back on track.