Real Sociedad 3 - Athletic Bilbao 2

Real Sociedad: Riesgo; López Rekarte, Luiz Alberto, Labaka, Garrido; Aranburu, Alkiza; Karpin, Nihat (Arteta 89'), Gabilondo (Rossato 79'); Kovacevic. 4-2-3-1.
Athletic: Aranzubia; Iraola (Arriaga 80'), Luis Prieto, Karanka, Del Horno; Gurpegui, Tiko; Etxeberría (César 71'), Yeste, Ezquerro (Pampín 62'); Urzaiz. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Real Sociedad: Alkiza, Gabilondo for Mikel Alonso, Rossato / Athletic: Luis Prieto for Orbaiz.

Goals:
0-1. 40. Ezquerro. Cut in from left wing past Rekarte and lifted shot past Riesgo.
0-2. 43. Urzaiz. Volleyed ball wide of keeper from Iraola lofted pass.
1-2. 57. Nihat. First time shot past Aranzubia after Kovacevic squared from left.
2-2. 68. Nihat. Chested down Kovacevic pass and poked shot under Pampín.
3-2. 73. Gabilondo. Header down past Pampín from Karpin's cross.

A thrilling game at Anoeta, where Real Sociedad came back from two goals down to beat their neighbours Athletic Bilbao 3-2. After disappointing results from the two sides, there was a relatively low turnout for what is considered to be one of the highlights of the season in the Basque calendar. And the home fans were frustrated to see Nihat and Kovacevic fail to take a couple of chances each, and then watch Ezquerro and Urzaiz put the visitors ahead with two goals in the space of three minutes late in the first half.

Ezquerro had a double chance to extend the lead after the break but Riesgo kept him out, and Nihat pulled one back when Kovacevic set him up soon afterwards. Athletic were left a man short five minutes later when keeper Aranzubia was sent off for a foul on Kovacevic outside of the area, and with second choice keeper Lafuente injured, B team number one Pampín came on to make his debut. He could do nothing though to stop strikes from Nihat and Gabilondo a few minutes later which took the home side above their eternal rivals in the table.