Betis 2 - Real Sociedad 0

Betis: Contreras; Varela (Rivas 81'), Melli, Juanito, Luis Fernández; Capi, Rivera; Joaquín, Edu, Tardelli (Arzu 63'); Dani (Robert 70'). 4-2-3-1.
Real Sociedad: Riesgo; Cifuentes, Ansotegui, Jauregi, López Rekarte; Mikel Alonso; Xabi Prieto, Larrea (Stevanovic 46'), Viáfara (Uranga 46'), Novo (Díaz de Cerio 79'); Skoubo. 4-1-4-1.

Team changes: Betis: Contreras, Varela, Capi for Doblas, Oscar López, Arzu / Real: Ansotegui, Xabi Prieto, Viáfara for Labaka, Díaz de Cerio, Uranga.

Goals:
1-0. 32. Dani. Tap in close up after Tardelli won ball off Rekarte and crossed in.
2-0. 90. Robert. At second attempt from left of goal after Riesgo stopped first shot.

Betis moved away from the danger zone with a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad, who themselves are now level with the Andalusians on points. There was a carnival atmosphere in the Ruíz de Lopera stadium after the Andalusians had won through their UEFA cup tie against Alkmaar in extra time, and Capi shot wide early on. Contreras (returning to the side in place of Doblas) saved well from Skoubo at the other end, but with just over half an hour gone the locals took the lead when Tardelli picked the pocket of López Rekarte and sliced the ball across for Dani to tap in from close range.

Serra Ferrer's side could have gone further ahead when Edu skilfully lifted the ball over a defender before firing a shot straight at Riesgo, but Larrea was unlucky not to get on the end of a headed pass just before the break. Two half time substitutions from Arconada had little effect, and Dani should have scored twice after the restart, the first being tipped over the bar by Riesgo and the second being cleared off the line by a defender.

Skoubo did give the local fans a fright, but in the last minute Riesgo failed to hold on to a long cross from the left wing, and although the keeper reacted well to block Robert's first shot, he could do nothing to stop the striker from scoring at the second attempt. Betis had caught up their opponents in the table, but whilst they are on the way up, the Basques are heading in the other direction.