Real Sociedad 1 - Deportivo La Coruña 2

Real Sociedad: Alberto; López Rekarte, Kvarme, Jauregi, Potillón; Xabi Alonso, Aramburu; Karpin, Nihat, Gabilondo (De Pedro 73'); Kovacevic. 4-3-2-1.
Deportivo: Molina; Manuel Pablo, César, Andrade, Capdevila; Sergio, Duscher; Víctor, Valerón (Djalminha 78'), Fran (Luque 74'); Pandiani (Diego Tristán 81'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Real: Kovacevic for Schürrer / Deportivo: César, Valerón, Pandiani for Pablo Amo, Luque, Diego Tristán.

Goals:
0-1. 10. Pandiani. Collected pass from Sergio and shot past Alberto on the turn.
1-1. 42. Nihat. Ran on to high Xabi Alonso pass to volley ball past Molina.
1-2. 91. López Rekarte (own goal). Shot into own net trying to tackle Diego Tristán.

Deportivo La Coruña kept in touch with the leaders after a last minute 1-2 victory at Real Sociedad. Irureta gave a rest to several of his top players after their Champions' League defeat in Milan, but he opted to keep Pandiani in the striker's role up front. It was a good decision as the Uruguayan centre forward put his side ahead in the tenth minute, running on to a through ball from Sergio to clip a shot past the advancing Alberto.

Pandiani could have got a second later in the half when he headed just wide, but Nihat made it all square shortly before the break, César slipping as the two challenged for a high Xabi Alonso pass allowing the Turkish forward to volley a shot past Molina. Depor started strongly after the break and Pandiani once again tested Alberto with a couple of efforts. Fran had to clear from Potillón in front of goal though and Karpin put another effort wide with Molina a desperate bystander.

Both sides seemed to have settled for a point though as the game came to a colse, but a loose Kvarme back pass allowed substitute Diego Tristán in, and López Rekarte could only thump the ball past his own keeper as he raced in to tackle. For the second time this season against the Galicians, Real had lost by an own goal, and they could be back near the bottom spots by the end of the weekend.