Real Sociedad 1 - Recreativo Huelva 0

Real Sociedad: Westerveld; López Rekarte, Kvarme, Jauregi, Gabilondo; Xabi Alonso, Aranburu; Karpin, Nihat (Boris 78'), De Pedro (Barkero 87'); Kovacevic. 4-2-3-1.
Recreativo: Luque; Espinola, Loren, Alex (Gallego 70'), Pernía; Javi García, Viqueira, Camacho, Benítez (Kaiku 78'); Mario Bermejo (Oscar Arpón 50'); Raúl Molina. 4-4-1-1.

Team changes: Real: Gabilondo for Aranzábal / Recreativo: Alex for Iker Begoña.

Goals:
1-0. 07. Nihat. Took pass from Karpin and fired long shot into top corner of net.

Real Sociedad are back on top of the pack after a 1-0 victory over Recreativo Huelva. The Basque side took advantage of Deportivo's slip up the day before to move above them in the table with four games to go to the end of the season, ensuring at the same time their participation in next season's European Champions League.

It was not an easy win though against a side struggling for survival in the top flight. Nihat gave Real an early lead with a spectacular shot into the top corner of the net from outside of the area, and Luque had to be on his best form to stop the Turkish forward from heading a second soon afterwards. But after that the visitors came back, with Viqueira hitting the bar later in the half and Westerveld having to make two or three important saves before half time, with Javi García and then Raúl Molina both sweeping past makeshift left back Gabilondo before coming up against the Dutch keeper.

The home side recovered their composure after the break though, with Luque blocking one effort from Kovacevic and the Yugoslavian striker sending a spectacular overhead kick just wide. But Denoueix was not taking chances, and towards the end he paid his opponents the utmost respect, taking off Nihat to put on another defensive player Boris. And with nerves on edge, the Real Sociedad medical assistant was shown the red card for insulting the referee from the touchline. In the end though the three points were in the bag, which is what it is all about.