Deportivo La Coruña 2 - Real Sociedad 1

Deportivo: Molina; Héctor, Andrade, Naybet, Capdevila; Sergio, Mauro Silva; Víctor (Scaloni 79'), Valerón (Djalminha 54'), Luque; Diego Tristán (Pandiani 54'). 4-2-3-1.
Real Sociedad: Westerveld; Potillón, Jauregi, Schürrer, Aranzábal; Xabi Alonso, Alkiza (Aranburu 66'); Karpin, Nihat (Boris 84'), Gabilondo; Kovacevic (De Paula 79'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Deportivo: Héctor, Naybet, Víctor, Diego Tristán for Manuel Pablo, César, Scaloni, Pandiani / Real: Potillón, Alkiza, Gabilondo for López Rekarte, Aranburu, De Pedro.

Goals:
0-1. 29. Nihat. Cut in from left to fire low shot wide of Molina.
1-1. 73. Capdevila. Cross in from left of goal which Jauregi deflected into net.
2-1. 87. Pandiani. Header from corner which went in off back of Jauregi.

Deportivo bounced back from their midweek humiliation at Monaco to beat Real Sociedad 2-1 and move back to the top of the table. Irureta made several changes to his side after that 8-3 defeat, replacing all four wide men and bringing in Héctor, Capdevila, Víctor and Luque, the latter two having just recovered from injury.

The players were uncertain how their fans would take the midweek result, but they applauded them on to the pitch as if nothing had happened. There were some grumbles however as the clock ran on and they failed to get in to their stride, and Nihat brought a first save out of Molina from a free kick.

Depor's first effort at goal in fact didn't come until midway through the half when Sergio had a go from long range, and soon afterwards they found themselves behind when Nihat finally shook off Andrade to fire a shot past Molina. And Real could have extended their lead before the break, with Kovacevic and Xabi Alonso both just wide of the target.

Ten minutes in to the second half Irureta had had enough, and decided that changes were necessary. Pandiani replaced Diego Tristán, and much to everyone's' surprise, Djalminha came on for Valerón. The Brazilian forward had been a forgotten man since returning from a loan period in Austria, and had only been given a shirt number as they were unable to sell him on before the transfer window closed. But it proved an inspired move, and he showed that he was not to be written off with a display which reminded the fans of the Djalminha of old.

With a new lease of life Depor came forward, and they got their reward rather fortunately when Capdevila tried to find Pandiani with a cross from the left and the ball clipped Jauregi's heel and rebounded into the net.

By now the rain was falling heavily, and a slow Kovacevic was replaced by De Paula after failing to capitalize on a couple of chances. With five minutes to go Denoueix decided to protect the draw, taking off Nihat to bring on an extra defender, but a couple of minutes later Depor went into the lead after Pandiani got a head to Djalminha's corner. The ball would have gone well wide, but once again it struck the unfortunate Jauregi and deflected into the net.

Westerveld had to stop Luque from scoring a late third goal in injury time, and tempers were raised near the end as players clashed on the field. But referee Mejuto González called an end to proceedings without further bookings, and out of sympathy for Jauregi gave the goals to Capdevila and Pandiani in his report. Depor's midweek disaster was forgotten, and defeats for Valencia and Real Madrid the following day left them two points clear at the top of the league. Real Sociedad drop into the bottom half of the table though, and they will be grateful for the two week rest to recover their forces.