Alavés 2 - Real Sociedad 0

Alavés: Kike; Geli, Téllez, Coloccini, Llorens; Astudillo, Pablo; Mara (Witschge 82'), Jordi Cruyff, Magno (Vucko 77'); Iván Alonso (Ibon Begoña 60'). 4-2-3-1.
Real Sociedad: Alberto; López Rekarte, Kvarme, Luiz Alberto, Aranzábal; Aranburu (Barkero 65'), Idiakez; Tayfun, Khokhlov (Llorente 70'), De Pedro; Jankauskas (De Paula 46'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Alavés: Magno, Iván Alonso for Ibon Begoña, Rubén Navarro / Real: No change.

Goals:
1-0. 31. Magno. Won ball on left wing and cut in to beat keeper from wide angle.
2-0. 79. Llorens (penalty). Following foul by Alberto on Vucko.

Alavés joined the top group on the maximum six points after defeating neighbours Real Sociedad 2-0. The absence of the suspended Rubén Navarro gave other players a chance to shine, and Magno took his chance with a brilliant solo goal in the first half, winning the ball out on the wing and crashing a low shot in past Alberto. Real came back but Kike was on top form stopping efforts from Jankauskas and Khokhlov, and he sent a message to the management that they don't have to spend big money on a new goalkeeper this season.

Llorens added a second from the penalty spot ten minutes from the end when Alberto brought down substitute Vucko, the keeper lucky not to be shown the red card for the tackle. That was enough to show that Mané has once again managed to produce a side that can hold their own despite losing players of the category of Javi Morena, Contra and Tomic in the close season. Real Sociedad start where they left off, and they occupy one of the three bottom spots along with Tenerife and Osasuna without a point in their first two games. John Toshack was in the stand for this match, leaving the dirty work at ground level to his training staff, but if he wants to continue leading a life of luxury he may have to find someone with more clout to take over as team coach. It is not though for lack of trying.