Real Sociedad have taken a big step towards Champions League football with a 4-2 win over Valencia in La Liga.

An Imanol Agirretxe double has helped the home side open up a five-point gap over Malaga in fifth place.

Valencia started the game well, with Paul-Henri Mathieu forcing Claudio Bravo into a good save from a free kick five minutes in.

An end-to-end game ensued with both teams concentrating on attack and the home side almost took the lead when Gonzalo Castro ran clear on the left, but after cutting inside he was denied by a last-ditch challenge from Ricardo Costa.

Moments later the visitors were ahead when a counter-attack released Aly Cissokho on the left before his whipped cross was flicked in at the front post by Roberto Soldado.

Sociedad were level within 10 minutes when a well-worked corner found Inigo Martinez at the far post to volley the ball past Diego Alves.

After a host of half-chances in the second half, the home side took the lead towards the end when Castro finished a blistering one-touch counter-attack with a low drive from the edge of the box.

As Valencia pushed for an equaliser, they were undone again on the break, this time it was Agirretxe whose shot deflected past Alves.

The away side did give themselves a lifeline with a minute to go when Jonas reacted quickest to head the ball in after Bravo parried it up in the air, but the scoring was not finished.

Valencia conceded again after a defensive mix-up allowed Agirretxe to run through unchallenged before chipping the ball over Alves to seal the win.