Deportivo Coruna have replaced Real Sociedad in second place in the Spanish first division after they recorded a 2-1 win against the Basque side at the Riazor.
The win, which allowed Deportivo to go above their opponents by virtue of a better goal difference, but the chief beneficiaries were leaders Real Madrid who extend their lead at the top of the table to six points folowing their 3-1 win over Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
Real Sociedad began the match at the Riazor in aggressive style as they pushed forward and pinned Deportivo back in their ownarea.
Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci issued an early warning when his powerful 20-metre drive swerved just wide of the post on three minutes, while the Deportivo midfield were pressured into errors by the Sociedad midfield. The Galicians still looked dangerous on the break, though, and strike partners DiegoTristan and Roy Makaay gave the Sociedad defence plenty of problems in the first quarter.
Sociedad took thelead on 16 minutes when Nihat outran the Depor defence to collect a long ball from defender Aitor Lopez Rekarte, before rounding keeper Jose Molina to score.
The goal woke Depor from their slumber and they began to take control of the game. Javier Irureta’s side levelled the scores when Joan Capdevila fired a free-kick past a Sander Westerveld.
In first half stoppage time, the vistors squandered a wonderful chance to regain the lead when they were awarded a penalty, only for striker Darko Kovacevic to blaze against the bar.
The introduction of Juan Carlos Valeron after the interval, turned gave Depor attacking momentum and it came as no surprise when winger Fran scored the winner seven minutes from time.
Elsewhere, defending champions Valencia’s linerging title hopes evaporated when they lost 2-0 at Real Betis on Saturday and are now trail 13 points behind Real in fourth.
At the other end of the table relegation-threatened Recreativo Huelva’s 1-0 win away at Valladolid, lifted them off the foot of the table for the first time thhis season.
