Betis 2 - Real Sociedad 1

Betis: Prats; Tais, Juanito, Melli, Varela; Joaquín, Marcos Assunçao, Benjamín, Ismael (Denilson 55'); Dani (Arzu 87'), Alfonso. 4-4-2.
Real Sociedad: Alberto; López Rekarte, Kvarme, Schürrer, Potillón; Xabi Alonso (Alkiza 70'), Aramburu; Karpin (Xavi Prieto 55'), Nihat, Gabilondo; De Paula (Kovacevic 55'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Betis: Melli, Varela, Alfonso for Rivas, Luis Fernández, Fernando / Real: Aramburu for Alkiza.

Goals:
1-0. 14. Benjamín. Struck low shot across keeper into far bottom corner.
2-0. 20. Dani. Collected Joaquín pass and shot low past Alberto.
2-1. 45. Nihat. Picked up Xabi Alonso pass and turned ball past Prats.

Betis rejoined the fight for the Europe spots after beating Real Sociedad 2-1, a result which takes them level with their neighbours Sevilla two points below sixth placed Osasuna. Víctor Fernández's side got off to the best possible start, Benjamín battling to win the ball in the area and turning to shoot low across Alberto with less than a quarter of an hour gone. And six minutes later Joaquín slotted a pinpoint pass through to Dani on a darting run for him to crash a second past the helpless keeper.

Shortly before the break referee Esquinas Torres gave a dubious penalty to the visitors when Karpin fell in the area under a challenge from Varela, but keeper Toni Prats managed to block the Russian midfielder's spot kick. But with the first half already in injury time the visitors did get one back, Nihat running on to Xabi Alonso's long pass to cut across the area and fire a low shot past the keeper.

Ten minutes after the restart Denoueix replaced De Paula and Karpin with Kovacevic and Xavi Prieto, and Prieto wasted a good chance to level the scores when free in front of Prats a few minutes later. But the best chance came six minutes from the end, Esquinas Torres upsetting the local crowd awarding a second controversial penalty to the visitors after Nihat was bundled over by Benjamín. The Betis players surrounded the referee, and Benjamín was shown the red card after reportedly pushing the official in the chest. But Prats was once again the hero, diving to save Kovacevic's kick and guarantee the three points for his side.