Real Sociedad dreaming of title as Silva sprinkles stardust
In the fourth minute, a loose ball out of defence by Igor Zubeldia was seized on by Álvaro García, who laid off to Sergio Camello, but the Atlético Madrid loanee wasn’t able to keep his composure and the chance was lost.
Then, somewhat against the run of play, the visitors took the lead. David Silva robbed Unai López of possession and scampered to the edge of Rayo’s box before neatly slipping in Alexander Sørloth, who calmly slotted under the advancing Stole Dimitrievski for his 12th goal of the campaign in all competitions following a summer loan move from RB Leipzig. A VAR check confirmed to referee Mateu Lahoz that Silva hadn’t fouled López in the build-up, and Imanol Alguacil’s men looked to press home their advantage quickly afterwards, but Sørloth’s back-post cross was headed into Dimitrievski’s grateful arms by Brais Méndez. At the other end, Camello was again unable to make the most of an inviting ball from García, who was looking sprightly.
However, Los Franjirrojos found themselves two behind on 36 minutes when a whipped Méndez corner was flicked on cleverly at the near post by Aritz Elustondo and Ander Barrenetxea bundled in on his first league start for more than a year following several extended spells out due to injury. Pathé Ciss’ two hopeful long-range efforts were indicative of the hosts’ inability to break down their opponents, and Andoni Iraola decided to throw on Santi Comesaña for López ahead of the second half.
Rayo came out hungry after the restart, with Álex Remiro making a superb reflex stop from former Newcastle centre-back Florian Lejeune’s header, while García’s shot hit Asier Illarramendi in the head virtually on the goalline, but it could have easily have been 3-0 on 74 minutes, Dimitrievski making two outstretched saves in quick succession from Pablo Marín and Jon Ander Olasagasti.
La Real’s win means they are now level on points with second-placed Real Madrid, albeit having played two more matches than Los Blancos and Barcelona. Rayo, meanwhile, remain ninth.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Aritz Elustondo (Real Sociedad)