Valencia beat Real Sociedad

San Sebastian:

It was a wet and windy night in San Sebastien, but the Real Sociedad supporters, who braved the unpleasant conditions, were rewarded with a heartwarming goal after just 12 seconds. A long ball was headed on by Gorke Larrea to Danish striker Morten Skoubo, who stepped around a defender before firing a clinical strike past goalkeeper Santiago Canizares. But a confident Valencia side did not let the early setback ruffle their composure. The visitors, who last week beat league leaders Barcelona, came close to equalising in the 21st minute when Rufete thundered a shot against the post. Although Valencia dominated for most of the match, they had to wait until the 69th minute to draw level. Left winger Mario Regueiro appeared to be setting himself to cross the ball, but instead he fired a curling shot which beat Sociedad keeper Asier Riesgo at the near post. Skoubo almost put the home side back in front in the 75th minute after running onto a clever ball from Novo. But the striker was denied a second goal by Canizares' brilliant save. Instead it was Valencia that came up with the winner with 12 minutes left. A poorly judged back pass by Larrea was pounced on by Regueiro, who stepped around Riesgo before scoring his second of the night. Valencia, who are attempting to become Spanish champions for the third time in five seasons, held on to win 2-1. After 24 games, they're second on the table with 49 points, six behind leaders Barcelona and one ahead of third-placed Real Madrid. Real Sociedad are 13th. (AP)