Real Sociedad were victorious in the weekend’s Basque derby, defeating 10 man Athletic Bilbao at Anoeta 2-0.
It was a frantic start to the local derby, with the pace to the play seeing both sides having early chances in an end-to-end climate.
With both teams otherwise lacking a final pass in the attacking third, it was the home side who had the clearest chances in the first 45, with Antoine Griezmann and then Inigo Martinez both drawing solid saves from Athletic’s returning ‘keeper Gorka Iraizoz.
The second half threatened to head in the same direction with few chances apparent, until just after the hour mark when Griezmann managed to find the bottom corner with a low shot from the right side of the penalty box across the goalkeeper to put the hosts 1-0 up.
Athletic looked for an immediate reaction and brought on Fernando Llorente for full-back Xabi Castillo, but were penalised with 20 minutes to go for Fernando Amorebieta’s handball in the penalty area, as his raised arm blocked a shot.
It earned the defender a second yellow card, whilst Carlos Vela successfully converted the spot-kick for 2-0.
