Real Sociedad 1 - Sevilla 0

Real Sociedad: Riesgo; López Rekarte, Luiz Alberto, Labaka, Rossato; Aranburu, Mikel Alonso, Karpin, Nihat (Uranga 46'), Xabi Prieto (Brechet 89'); Kovacevic (Mladenovic 92'). 4-2-3-1.
Sevilla: Esteban; Daniel Alves, Aitor Ocio, Pablo Alfaro, David; Martí, Renato (Aranda 65'); Fernando Sales (Makukula 88'), Baptista, Adriano (Antonio López 47'); Antoñito. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Real Sociedad: López Rekarte, Rossato for Zubiaurre, Garrido / Sevilla: No change.

Goals:
1-0. 86. Kovacevic. Struck shot on turn through crowded goalmouth.

Real Sociedad moved away from the danger zone with a 1-0 win over third placed Sevilla in the last match on Saturday evening. The Basque side were the better side throughout, although they had to wait until four minutes from the end before Kovacevic got the vital goal.

All eyes were on Nihat, the Turkish player the target for several clubs including their opponents, who have said they would be interested in signing him in the summer. And he was Real's most lively player in the opening minutes, testing Esteban with a free kick, hitting the side netting with another effort and being ruled incorrectly offside when free on goal.

The Andalusians were clearly tired after their midweek UEFA cup tie in Greece, and they didn't manage a shot on goal until five minutes before the break, when Renato's free kick bounced past everybody and almost caught out Riesgo. The keeper was in action again though soon after the restart to stop an effort from Antoñito, who almost hooked the ball in to the net on the rebound whilst lying on the floor.

Real were struck a big blow though just before the interval when Nihat hobbled off after injuring himself in open play, and Uranga came on to replace him in the second half. Aranburu shot over the top and Luiz Alberto headed wide, and with the clock ticking on it appeared that the game was heading for a draw. But with a short time to go Kovacevic controlled a ball in on his chest, and hit a shot on the turn through the legs of Aitor Ocio and in to the net.

There was little time for anything else, and the San Sebastian based side had taken a valuable three points which took them eight points above the drop zone. There was bad news after the game though when it was confirmed that Nihat had torn his cruciate knee ligaments, and would be out for at least six months. Curiously a few days ago Real thought he was on his way to CSKA Moscow, and having recovered from that scare they have lost him again. Allah works in mysterious ways!