Gutsy Getafe gain a second wind at Anoeta

Lago forced off

Getafe CF had to contend with a setback in the 17th minute, when left-back Roberto Lago came off with a knock. As a result, Juan Eduardo Esnaider was required to reshuffle his defence, with B-team youngster Miguel Angel introduced.

Vela capitalises

Real Sociedad were on top in the early exchanges, putting the pressure on and carving out chances, and Getafe's poor start went from bad to worse with Lago's injury. Indeed, in the 18th minute, just after the aforementioned substitution, Carlos Vela broke the deadlock. Mikel Oyarzabal's cross was parried by Vicente Guaita and the ball fell kindly to Vela, who touched it into the empty net.

Visitors reinvigorated

After grabbing the lead, the hosts seemed to take their foot off the pedal, while Ensaider's men regrouped. Emiliano Buendia had a golden opportunity to level in the 41st minute, when Iñigo Martinez lost possession after trying to be too cute in his own box, only for Buendia to balloon his volley over the bar after being picked out by Pablo Sarabia. That was the warning shot, and the equaliser followed on the stroke of half-time. In a similar sequence, albeit without the preceding defensive mistake, Alvaro Vazquez floated a cross over to the far post, where Sarabia was on the receiving end on this occasion and expertly volleyed home. The two teams therefore went into the dressing rooms on terms.

Vazquez makes no mistake

Barely 10 minutes had elapsed in the second half when Vazquez went from supplier to scorer, making it 2-1. After racing on to a long pass, the forward was cleaned out by goalkeeper Oier and hauled himself up to convert the ensuing penalty. In the process, he ended a goal drought stretching back to Matchday 19 and sparked roars of delight from the visiting dugout.

Getafe get back on their feet

Vazquez's dry spell wasn't the only rough patch brought to an end, as Getafe put paid to a 14-game winless streak by clinching three priceless points in their fight against relegation. Their last victory had come way back on 17 January against RCD Espanyol. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, have now slipped to two straight defeats.