Almeria off and running

Almeria picked up their first win of the new season by beating Real Sociedad at the Estadio Anoeta for the first time in their history.


The Andalusians took the lead somewhat fortuitously just after the half-hour mark when Alberto de la Bella inadvertently headed into his own net, and things got worse for the hosts when Mauro dos Santos headed home from a corner early in the second half.

La Real were given a late boost when Sebastian Dubarbier was sent off for a second booking and then Chory Castro's strike reduced the deficit to 2-1 with six minutes remaining.

But the Basques were unable to complete a third turnaround in as many weeks, and Francisco Javier Rodriguez's side held on to claim the win and move out of the relegation zone.

The hosts made a rampant start, Carlos Vela clipping the crossbar after six minutes and then Imanol Agirretxe firing wide after good work from Sergio Canales.

Almeria goalkeeper Ruben Martinez then had to make a double save to keep out another shot from Agirretxe and the follow up by Xabi Prieto.

Despite the intense pressure from the hosts it was the visitors who struck first. Dubarbier floated a seemingly harmless cross into Real's box which goalkeeper Enaut Zubikarai came out to claim, but he ended up punching the ball off the back of his team-mate De La Bella's head, the ball bouncing into his net.

Vela should have equalised for Real just before the break but his close-range shot hit the side-netting, and the Basques would regret their wastefulness as Almeria came out far stronger in the second period.

Tomer Hemed struck the crossbar shortly after the restart and two minutes later Dos Santos doubled the visitors' advantage, heading a corner from Verza bouncing into the bottom corner.

Real could not respond and were grateful to Zubikarai for saving twice from Hemed to keep the game alive.

Jagoba Arrasate's side were given a much-needed lift when Dubarbier was shown a second yellow card with 12 minutes remaining for a foul on Prieto, and then Castro set up an exciting finish with a well-taken goal, keeping control of the ball in the air and then volleying home.

Ruben Pardo struck a post in injury time from a free-kick and the nerves got to Almeria coach Francisco, who was sent off for contesting the referee's decisions from the touchline.

The home side had turned around two-goal deficits against Real Madrid and Celta Vigo in their last two games, but this match proved to be a bridge too far.