Real Sociedad 0 - Espanyol 0

Real Sociedad: Westerveld; López Rekarte, Jauregi, Schürrer, Aranzábal; Tayfun, Xabi Alonso (Aranburu 46'); Karpin, Khokhlov (De Paula 85'), Barkero (Gabilondo 77'); Kovacevic. 4-2-3-1.
Espanyol: Toni; Torricelli, Lopo, Soldevilla, David García; Maxi, Domoraud, Fredson (Morales 65'), Roger (De la Peña 77'); Tamudo, Milosevic (Oscar 87'). 4-4-2.

Team changes: Real: Tayfun, Barkero, Khokhlov for Aranburu, De Pedro, Nihat / Espanyol: Fredson for Morales.

Goals: None.

Leaders Real Sociedad were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Espanyol, and are now only two points ahead of Real Madrid. Javier Clemente put out a defensive side on his return to the Anoeta stadium, and the his team only allowed a couple of efforts at goal in the first half, a header from Khokhlov just over the bar and a shot from Kovacevic which Toni had no problems saving. The visitors hardly approached Westerveld's goal at the other end though, and only a Roger free kick which deflected wide caused the Dutch keeper any concern.

Denoueix was missing two of his key players, Nihat who was suspended and De Pedro who hurt himself in the pre-match warm up, and Xabi Alonso also had to go off at half time with a knee injury after a hard tackle by Lopo. Even so they improved after the break, with Kovacevic heading against the bar following a corner and Toni saving from close range from Tayfun, the referee allowing play to go on even though he was clearly in an offside position.

By now though Espanyol were starting to create their own chances, Domoraud just failing to control the ball after Tamudo's lifted pass, and Maxi getting ahead of the defence to head low against the post from De la Peña's pass. A few minutes later the game came to a rainy end, leaving the San Sebastian side with only one point from the last two games. Racing's win means that Espanyol drop back into the bottom three, but having not lost now for five games they seem to be on the road to recovery.