Real Betis travelled to the Donostia-San Sebastian on Sunday knowing that three points against Real Sociedad would move them off the foot of the La Liga table.
Imanol Agirretxe opened the scoring for Sociedad in the early stages, but a strike from Jorge Molina left the two sides level at the interval.
Sociedad wrapped up the points in the second half, however, courtesy of goals from Ion Ansotegi, Antoine Griezmann, Agirretxe and Xabi Prieto.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! The first of our three back-to-back La Liga live commentaries comes from the Donostia-San Sebastian as Real Sociedad welcome Real Betis. The home side have moved into sixth position following a strong run of form, but Betis’ struggles continue, with the Sevilla-based outfit currently sitting bottom of the table on 10 points.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Betis have won two of the last five, with Sociedad winning once and the further two matches ending in draws. As mentioned, the corresponding fixture last season ended in a pulsating 3-3 draw, but Betis were 2-0 winners when the two sides met in Sevilla in October 2012.
TEAMS:
REAL SOCIEDAD: Bravo; C Martinez, Ansotegi, I Martinez, Angel; Prieto, Bergara, Pardo; Agirretxe, Vela, Griezmann
REAL BETIS: Andersen; Nacho, Chica, Paulao, Amaya; Verdu, Reyes, Nono, Vadillo; Castro, Molina
So there we have it. Attacking lineup for Sociedad this afternoon with Agirretxe, Carlos Vela and Antoine Griezmann all selected in the XI. There are also starts for Ruben Pardo and Xabi Prieto. Meanwhile, Betis boss Juan Garrido selects Ruben Castro and Jorge Molina in attack, but Salva Sevilla is on the bench.
It proved to be a disappointing Champions League campaign for Sociedad as Tuesday’s 1-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen meant that they finished Group A bottom of the league having taken just one point from their six matches. That level might have been above them, but they are making another push for the Champions League positions after a shaky start.
The home side have taken 13 points from their last six matches in the league, including recent wins over Espanyol and Celta Vigo. As it stands, they are six points off the top four, but have certainly found a run of form in the league. They also currently boast the third top-scorer in the division, with Frenchman Antoine Griezmann netting nine times thus far.
Betis, meanwhile, recently relieved Pepe Mel of his duties after a poor start to the season. Former Villarreal boss Juan Carlos Garrido has taken charge and will be keen to get off to a positive start in the league. The away side remain bottom of the table despite drawing against Rayo Vallecano last time out, but they are just three points from safety.
Betis’ home form this season has been fairly strong with just three defeats from their eight matches, but they have struggled on the road, drawing once and losing six times. Sociedad, meanwhile, have been strong on their own patch with just on defeat from six matches, winning four times in the process.
Goals have been a problem for Betis this season with just 14 strikes in their 15 matches. That is in contrast to Sociedad, who have found the back of the net on 25 occasions. Down the other end, Sociedad have conceded 21 times to Betis’ 30, which is an indication of their troubles. They are a long way from the team that battled for a top-four spot last season.
PREDICTION: It has been a season to forget for Betis thus far, but there have been signs of improvement in recent weeks. Sociedad, however, are starting to find some form in the league. I am not expecting too many goals, but I think Sociedad will have enough to claim all the points. My score prediction is 2-0 Sociedad.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Can Betis move off the bottom of the table? Or will Sociedad continue their strong run of form in the league? The home side get the action underway on this mild afternoon in Spain.
Bright start from the home side as Agirretxe forces an early corner from Javi Chica. The resulting set piece is delivered by Ruben Pardo, but Chica is on hand to clear once more. Not a full house inside the stadium this afternoon, but there is a strong atmosphere. Plenty of challenges from both sides in the middle of the park in the early exchanges.
You just get the feeling that Betis need to stay in the match in the opening 10 minutes or so this afternoon. Their confidence is fragile to say the least. Vadillo has the chance to break down the left for Betis, but Carlos Martinez is across to make the challenge, before Ruben Castro moves into an offside position.
GOAL! Real Sociedad 1-0 Real Betis (Agirretxe)
Sociedad lead inside six minutes as Pardo finds Agirretxe, who lifts his effort over the head of Andersen from close range. Expert finish from the Spanish forward. It is a disastrous start for Betis.
You cannot say that it had not been coming as Vela tested Andersen with a low strike moments before Agirretxe handed the home side the lead. Betis just cannot get the ball at the moment with the likes of Pardo and Prieto dominating possession in the middle of the park. High-tempo opening nine minutes of football.
The home side continue to force the issue with a series of crosses into the box, but Chica and Paulao have repelled the aerial threat thus far. Vela attempts to combine with Pardo moments later, but Andersen is out to collect at the vital moment. Not too much for the away side to get excited about in terms of chances with 12 minutes on the clock at the San Sebastian.
Betis are really struggling to move out of their own half at the moment with Griezmann and Vela both pressing in wide areas. Vela has another sniff of goal following a headed back-pass from Chica, but Andersen is able to collect under pressure from the Mexican. Vadillo finds Castro down the other end moments later, but his effort is straight at Bravo from inside the box.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of some late challenges in the middle of the park. Betis have improved on the ball, but are finding it difficult to force the issue in the final third. Vadillo has been their bright spark thus far.
Best spell of the match for Betis as they continue to pass and probe outside the Sociedad box. Vadillo twice delivers low balls into the box, but the danger is cleared on both occasions. Not too much from Sociedad since they took the lead, which is drawing groans from the home supporters. Still 1-0 with 18 minutes played.
GOAL! Real Sociedad 1-1 Real Betis (Molina)
Betis level with 19 minutes on the clock as Vadillo slides in Molina, who takes one touch before finishing into the bottom corner. Wonderful build-up from the away side. It had been coming.
Sociedad have the ball in the back of the net once more as Griezmann finishes from inside the box, but the Frenchman had moved into an offside position. Incredibly open match at the moment with both sides committing numbers in the final third. Betis do not look like a team that are bottom of the division.
The match has just settled in the last couple of moments with both sides demonstrating their ability on the ball. Vela wants a free kick outside the Betis box as he clashes with Paulao, but the referee is not interested. Vadillo really has been the star of the show thus far as he continues to stretch Sociedad in wide areas.
Good pressure from Sociedad in the last couple of minutes as Griezmann comes close to meeting a cross from Vela, but Chica is on hand to clear the danger. The pressure remains as Vela whips another cross into the area, with Amaya just turning high of his own crossbar. Little over 15 minutes of the first period to play.
Betis threaten once more with Vadillo, but his low cross is clear by Inigo Martinez at the vital moment. Sociedad break down the other end with Vela moments later, but the move breaks down when Chica heads clear under pressure from Prieto.
POST! Betis come close to scoring their second as Vadillo finds Molina on the edge of the box, but the striker's curling effort smashes off the inside of the post. Betis are in the ascendancy with 30 minutes on the clock at the San Sebastian.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Agirretxe to score his second for Sociedad as he meets a corner from Pardo, but his header just moves wide of the post. End-to-end football with both sides committing numbers in the final third. Fabulous La Liga encounter at the San Sebastian.
Another half-chance for Sociedad as Griezmann bursts into the box, but his effort is into the side netting. Neither side is too interested in defending at the moment as Molina breaks into the Sociedad box, but Inigo Martinez is across to make the challenge. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Half-chance for Betis this time as Verdu attempts to slide a low pass towards Molina, but Inigo Martinez is across to clear at the vital moment. Griezmann is down the other end moments later, but his low effort is saved by Andersen. Hardly time to take a breath at the moment as the opportunities continue to arrive.
There has hardly been a challenge of note in the first period, which has helped the flow of the match. Sociedad break through the Betis defence once more, but Agirretxe is ruled offside at the vital moment. Little over five minutes of the half remaining with the two sides still level at 1-1.
CHANCE! It's brilliant from Vela as the Mexican turns on the edge of the box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Andersen is across to make a fine save. Betis break immediately down the other end with Verdu, but the midfielder can only curl one high and wide of the crossbar.
Neither manager will be too disappointed with what they have seen from their side thus far. There have been a couple of defensive mistakes, but the overall quality has been impressive. One thing is for certain - Betis do not look like a side that are struggling at the bottom of the division. Little over one minute of the first period remaining at the San Sebastian.
HALF TIME: Real Sociedad 1-1 Real Betis
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 1-1. Agirretxe sent Sociedad into the lead after six minutes, but Betis were level 13 minutes later courtesy of a smart finish from Molina. Both sides have had opportunities to add to the scoring in an entertaining first period.
STATISTICS: Betis have just about shaded the possession with 51%, while they have had seven attempts to Sociedad's five. Both sides have had three attempts on target, meanwhile, in what has been an end-to-end half of football. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in this La Liga contest.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Seferovic, Castro and Javi Ros. Meanwhile, Betis have the likes of Juanfran, Salva Sevilla and Juan Carlos in reserve. There are certainly players on the sidelines that could influence the second period.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Sevilla against Athletic Bilbao. Be sure to remain with us for that one. Right, Betis get the second 45 minutes underway on this mild early evening in Spain. Will we have a winner?
Just a reminder that three points for Betis would move them off the bottom of the table. It could be argued that they deserved to be leading at the interval, but Sociedad also had chances to score a second. Bright start to the half from Betis as Molina wins a corner from Carlos Martinez, but Inigo Martinez manages to clear the resulting corner with a towering header.
Possession football from Sociedad in the last couple of moments with the likes of Prieto and Pardo enjoying plenty of the ball, but the latest move breaks down when the latter attempts to force one towards Griezmann. Betis have a free kick down the other end moments later following a handball from Ansotegi, but Nono's effort is straight into the wall.
Half-chance for Betis once more as Nono strikes one from the edge of the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Vela attempts to bend one into the top corner down the other end, but it was always moving wide of the post. End-to-end football with 53 minutes on the clock in this high-tempo La Liga contest.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Griezmann to send Sociedad into the lead as Angel finds the Frenchman inside the box, but his flicked effort is just wide of the post. That is the closest either side has come to scoring in the second half.
CHANCE! Another glorious chance for Sociedad as Agirretxe bursts into the Betis box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Andersen just manages to push his effort wide of the post. One-way traffic as Sociedad up the tempo here.
GOAL! Real Sociedad 2-1 Real Betis (Ansotegi)
The pressure pays off for Sociedad as Ansotegi sends his side into the lead with a powerful header from a corner. The pressure had been rising in the last couple of minutes.
Griezmann has a half-chance for the home side as he strikes one from outside the box, but Paulao deflects it high and wide of the crossbar. Sociedad continue to force the issue as Griezmann breaks beyond the Betis defence, but Andersen is out to clear at the vital moment. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with the challenges flying in from both sides. Molina is the latest Betis player to pick up a yellow card for a late challenge on Vela. The away side make their first change moments later as Juanfran replaces Nono. You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals this evening.
Half-chance for Vadillo this time as the Betis winger finds some space inside the box before attempting to bend one into the bottom corner, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Griezmann attempts to find Vela down the other end with a through pass moments later, but the danger is cleared.
GOAL! Real Sociedad 3-1 Real Betis (Griezmann)
This time the combination does work as Vela finds Griezmann at the far post and the Frenchman cannot miss from close range. That is his tenth league goal of the season. Is this match over?
Betis are really struggling to keep the ball at the moment as Sociedad continue to break forward in numbers. Vadillo is involved for the away side as he drives a low cross into the box, but the danger is cleared by Inigo Martinez. Little under 25 minutes of normal time remaining in this La Liga contest.
Untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of a number of late challenges. Griezmann becomes involved in an altercation with Verdu and picks up a yellow card for his troubles. The referee will do well to keep all 22 players on the field in the remaining 20 minutes or so.
GOAL! Real Sociedad 4-1 Real Betis (Agirretxe)
Agirretxe has his second of the match and his side's fourth as he thumps a powerful effort into the bottom corner following good work from Pardo, who now has three assists in this match.
Sociedad have been impressive in the second period, but Betis have really struggled. They were the better side in the first 45 minutes, but have hardly had an attempt this half. Verdu attempts to take matters into his own hands with an effort from distance, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar.
Sociedad make a change as Agirretxe, who has scored twice this evening, is replaced by Seferovic. Betis also look to their bench with Sevilla replacing Verdu, who has struggled to influence proceedings this evening. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining. Sociedad lead 4-1 at the San Sebastian.
Betis make another change as Matilla replaces Vadillo, who has faded after a bright first period. That is certainly a defensive change from the away side. Sociedad continue to force the issue with Vela and Griezmann, but the latter can only deliver a cross into the arms of Andersen from just inside the box.
Another change for Sociedad as Elustondo replaces Pardo, who has been fantastic this afternoon. Three assists from the Spanish midfielder. He has been one of the key reasons for Sociedad's turn in form. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining in this La Liga contest. It could yet get worse for Betis.
Sociedad make their third and final change of the match as Griezmann is replaced by Castro. That is an indication of the strength of the Sociedad squad at the moment. Not too much to report in terms of chances at the moment with Betis struggling to keep hold of the ball in the final third.
Half-chance for the home side as Seferovic finds some space inside the Betis box before delivering a low cross towards Vela, but Chica is on hand to make the clearance. The resulting corner is delivered towards Bergara, but the midfielder can only head high and wide of the crossbar.
Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Sevilla against Bilbao. Be sure to remain with us for that one. Arguably the game of the weekend follows as Atletico Madrid host Valencia. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes as Sociedad move closer to an impressive win.
GOAL! Real Sociedad 5-1 Real Betis (Prieto)
Sociedad have their fifth of the match as Prieto converts at the far post following a deep cross from Jose Angel. It gets worse for Betis, who will remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
Sociedad attack once more as Angel dances into the box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. The Betis players cannot wait for the final whistle at the moment as they struggle to keep hold of the ball.
Pepe Mel was sacked as Betis boss recently, but the players must take the blame for their recent performances. It just has not been good enough for a side that challenged for the top four this last season. It could yet get worse as Sociedad continue to force the issue in the final third.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Sociedad will remain in sixth position, while Betis sit bottom of the table. Little under one minute of stoppage time remaining.
FULL TIME: Real Sociedad 5-1 Real Betis
So there we have it. Impressive performance from Sociedad as they beat Betis 5-1. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Sevilla against Bilbao. Until then!
