Returning Agirretxe rescues Real Sociedad

Malaga, defensively sound
Malaga's superb defensive organisation was once again on show. Their defenders' constant covering for each other, combined with the tireless tracking back from the rest of the team and Carlos Kameni's steady presence between the sticks, saw the Andalusians keep the hosts at bay for 80 minutes.

Nip and tuck
There was little to choose between the two teams for most of the match. It was a cagey affair for long stretches, with both sides mindful that the smallest of details could make the difference. As a result, both packed the midfield in an attempt to stifle one another's supply lines and it became an attritional battle in the middle of the park.

Duje Cop caps top display
The Croatian forward impressed all game long, but was lacking a goal to round off his performance. Until he opened the scoring, that is. It was the 56th minute when Cop prodded home from close range after one of Roberto Rosales's countless forays to the byline, putting his team on course to claim three points in an extremely tight encounter. 

Late surge from Real Sociedad 
After the hosts went behind, Ruben Pardo took the match by the scruff of the neck. The La Real midfielder grew in stature as the minutes ticked by and it rubbed off on his team. The need to hunt for an equaliser drove the Basque side forward and they proceeded to bombard the Malaga box. After one lofted pass, the ball dropped to an unmarked Imanol Agirretxe, who had climbed off the bench to make his comeback following a long injury layoff. The striker volleyed emphatically past Kameni into the far top corner to secure a 1-1 draw.