Atlético Madrid 1 - Real Sociedad 0

Atlético: Leo Franco; Velasco, Perea, Pablo, Molinero; Luccin; Galletti (Kezman 37'), Maxi, Ibagaza (Gabi 84'), Petrov; Fernando Torres (Colsa 88'). 4-1-4-1.
Real Sociedad: Riesgo; López Rekarte, Labaka, Jauregi, Garrido; Mikel Alonso, Viáfara; Novo (Xabi Prieto 71'), Stevanovic, Uranga (Mark González 75'); Skoubo. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Atlético: Velasco for Antonio López / Real: Labaka, Novo, Uranga for Ansotegi, Xabi Prieto, Nihat.

Goals:
1-0. 81. Kezman. Near post header into roof of net from Fernando Torres cross.

Atlético Madrid continued their recent good run, beating Real Sociedad 1-0 at the Calderón stadium to move up to ninth in the table. Both sides had changed their managers recently, opting for the B team coaches Pepe Murcia and Gonzalo Arconada to take over the reins, and the two look better for it on the strength of this game.

The Basque side should have taken the lead in only the second minute when Novo ran on to Stevanovic's lifted pass to score, only for referee Puentes Leira to pull up the play for a more than borderline offside. And Skoubo and Jauregui both went close later in the first half as the visitors pushed forward. Maxi had missed a chance at the other end earlier on, and Riesgo did well to keep out Petrov when he broke through on goal shortly before the half time whistle. Atlético were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty as well when the ball hit Labaka on the arm as he tried to clear a high cross.

Real's new signing Viáfara had another effort at goal soon after the restart, but the best chance fell to Kezman, who shot wide of the mark after connecting with a pass from Maxi. The Serbian striker made up for the miss though ten minutes from the end when he rose to head home a Fernando Torres cross on the near post, ensuring his side their fourth win in a row. It was a killer blow against the visitors, who ended the match with ten men after Viáfara was sent off for elbowing Gabi.