Published: 11:43, November 2, 2020 | Updated: 12:48, June 5, 2023
Real Sociedad stay top in Spain, Real Madrid cruise but Barca slip up again
By Xinhua

In this Oct 29, 2020 photo, Real Sociedad's Spanish midfielder David Silva reacts during the UEFA Europa League group F football match between Real Sociedad and Napoli at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian. (CESAR MANSO / AFP)

MADRID - Real Sociedad remain top of La Liga after the eighth round of games in Spain thanks to a convincing 4-1 win away to Celta Vigo on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from substitutes Iker Muniain and Ohain Sancet helped Athletic Club Bilbao come back from 1-0 down to beat Sevilla 2-1

The side from San Sebastian produced a slick display of football which showed no signs of fatigue after their Europa League defeat to Napoli on Thursday.

'La Real' led 3-0 by the 54th minute thanks to first half goals from David Silva, Mikel Oyarzabal and Willian Jose and although Iago Aspas scored a 77th minute penalty for Celta, Willian Jose's second of the game five minutes later meant there were no nervous moments for the visitors.

Second placed Real Madrid enjoyed an easy 4-1 win at home to Huesca, with goals from Eden Hazard, who made his first start after injury, two goals from Karim Benzema and a 54th minute strike from Fede Valverde.

Atletico Madrid also took three points from their visit to Osasuna after a 3-1 win as Portuguese forward Joao Felix confirmed his progression with the first two goals of the game - the first from the penalty spot.

ALSO READ: Real Sociedad go top in Spain as Real Madrid, Barca lose

Osasuna forward, Ante Budmir who recently recovered from coronavirus gave the home side hope 10 minutes from time after Felix had seen another penalty hit the post, but Lucas Torreira's late goal assured the points for Atletico.

FC Barcelona dropped another two points in a 1-1 draw away to Deportivo Alaves who played with 10 men for half an hour.

A mix-up between Gerard Pique and Neto allowed Luis Rioja to put Alaves ahead in the 31st minute and Barca coach Ronald Koeman made a triple change at halftime with Pedri, Miralem Pjanic and Francisco Trincao all coming on.

Jota Peleteiro was sent off after a bad challenge on Pique in the 62nd minute, but solid defending and good keeping from Fernando Pacheco kept Barca out and Koeman's side have now taken just two points from their last four league games.

Granada took a point at home to Levante after holding on for a 1-1 draw despite playing for 74 minutes with 10 men after Maxime Gonalons was sent off for a bad challenge.

Darwin Machis' solo goal had put Granada ahead in the eighth minute, but although Ruben Vezo levelled in the 34th minute the home side kept their discipline to dig in for a point.

There was high drama in Valencia as they drew 2-2 against Getafe thanks to a penalty from Carlos Soler in the 100th minute.

Yumos Musah put Valencia ahead in the 22nd minute, but the home side were reduced to 10 men when Thierry Correia was sent off in the 54th minute.

Valencia looked as if they would hold on for a win, but Cucho Hernandez levelled for Getafe in the 87th minute and Angel Rodriguez looked to have sealed three points for Getafe four minutes into injury time.

READ MORE: David Silva returns to Spain to sign for Real Sociedad

However there was time for one last twist to the plot when Damien Suarez committed a penalty in the ninth minute of injury time and Soler kept his nerve from the spot.

Betis had a comfortable 3-1 win at home to Elche thanks to an opening goal from Antonio Sanabria and two from Cristian Tello before Josan Ferrandez's 60th minute consolation.

Goals from substitutes Iker Muniain and Ohain Sancet helped Athletic Club Bilbao come back from 1-0 down to beat Sevilla 2-1.

Sevilla looked to be cruising after Youssef En-Neysiri opened the scoring in the 10th minute but they faded badly after the hour and have now lost their last three league matches.

The round of matches kicked off on Friday night with Cadiz winning 2-0 in Eibar to claim their fourth consecutive away victory of the season without conceding a goal.