First Division - Day 37

Real Sociedad 2 - Rayo Vallecano 1

Real: Rulli; Aritz Elustondo, Diego Reyes, Mikel González, De la Bella; Granero, Illarramendi, Zurutuza (Rubén Pardo 67’); Xabi Prieto, Carlos Vela (Jon Bautista 46’), Oyarzabal (Bruma 77’). 4-3-3.
Rayo: Juan Carlos; Quini, Diego Llorente, Crespo (Joni Montiel 77’), Tito; Trashorras, Jozabed (Javi Guerra 46’); Embarba, Pablo Hernández, Bebé (Manucho 63‘); Miku. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 12. Oyarzabal. Struck long shot past Juan Carlos after corner fell to him.
2-0. 50. Bautista. Steered shot wide of keeper after Oyarzabal laid ball across.
2-1. 69. Javi Guerra. Picked up Miku pass and ran on to curl shot over Rulli.

Yellow cards: Xabi Prieto 28’, Crespo 60’, Jon Bautista 70’ / red cards: Granero 75’.

Rayo Vallecano are now in next to bottom spot, a point below Getafe and Sporting, after they were beaten 2-1 at Real Sociedad on Sunday evening. The locals went ahead early on, Oyarzabal squeezing a speculative shot past Juan Carlos after the defence failed to clear Granero’s corner. Rulli had to save from Embarba after that, and Pablo Hernández and Embarba fired shots just wide before the break, but soon after the restart half time substitute Jon Bautista made it two after Zurutuza and Oyarzabal combined down the left wing to set him up. Javi Guerra got one back with a long shot which left Rulli stranded with twenty minutes to go, and five minutes later Granero got himself sent off for a high kick on Trashorras, but it all came too late to save the result. Rayo now need to win against Levante next weekend, and hope that the two teams above them drop points, otherwise their five year stay in the top flight is over.