Real Sociedad 2 - Málaga 2

Real Sociedad: Westerveld; López Rekarte, Jauregi, Schürrer, Aranzábal; Karpin, Tayfun, Aranburu (De Paula 80'), Barkero (Gabilondo 77'); Nihat, Khokhlov. 4-4-2.
Málaga: Contreras; Josemi, Fernando Sanz, Roteta, Valcarce; Gerardo, Romero, Miguel Angel (Manu 66'), Musampa; Darío Silva, Dely Valdés (Rojas 86'). 4-4-2.

Team changes: Real: Tayfun, Barkero, Khokhlov for Xabi Alonso, Gabilondo, Kovacevic / Málaga: Gerardo, Romero for Manu, Sandro.

Goals:
1-0. 07. Nihat. Hit low free kick through defensive wall from edge of area.
1-1. 19. Musampa. Shot from left of goal which deflected in off Jauregi.
2-1. 24. Khokhlov. Ball bounced in off his back when charging down keeper's kick.
2-2. 57. Darío Silva. Pulled down pass in from Musampa to shoot low past keeper.

Leaders Real Sociedad kept up their unbeaten record this season, but were disappointed to be held to a 2-2 draw at home by Málaga, only the third time they have dropped points at Anoeta this season. Missing the injured De Pedro and Xabi Alonso and the suspended Kovacevic, manager Denoueix gave a first run out of the season to Barkero, with Tayfun and Khokhlov coming back into the side. Málaga were back to full strength after the Christmas break.

Although the visitors pushed forward from the off, it was the Basque side who went in front in the seventh minute when a Nihat free kick went right through the defensive wall. Peiró was clearly not amused about the way his players lined up, but he was a little happier when Musampa levelled the scores a few minutes later with a shot from left of the area which took a deflection off Jauregi. The smile disappeared completely though when Contreras received a Fernando Sanz backpass and dallied before trying to boot the ball upfield. By then Khokhlov had closed the gap, and as the keeper kicked, the makeshift striker leapt and turned in front of him, deflecting the ball in to the net off his back.

The keeper made up for his mistake though later in the half with good saves from Nihat, Khokhlov and a Barkero free kick. Soon after the break Málaga made it all square again, a good run by Musampa ending with him playing the ball through for Darío Silva to turn quickly and fire a shot under Westerveld. After that the visitors pulled back, and Khokhlov should have put Real back in the lead when he missed the target with only Contreras to beat. The Andalucians were left with ten men when Romero was shown a second yellow card for tripping an opponent five minutes from the end, and Contreras had to make a finger tip save to keep out an injury time Nihat free kick to save his side a valuable point.