Real Sociedad 2 Osasuna 0
Real Sociedad beat Osasuna 2-0 to move third in the LaLiga standings, registering a ninth successive league head-to-heads without defeat in the process.
Despite having played a game less than those around them, the hosts still started the day within LaLiga’s top four places, albeit only three points above the visiting Rojillos.
Perhaps it was the division's ultra-competitive top half that was the culprit for a lightning-fast opening in a warmer-than-expected San Sebastián, with both sides flexing their muscles in search of authority in the middle of the park.
Takefusa Kubo led the charge as Sociedad’s looked for a first-half lead, and one of his mazy runs saw him serve up an opportunity for Alexander Sorloth, who inexplicably missed from six yards - he was likely relieved to see a flag eventually raised for offside.
The White and Blue shirts continued to pour into the Osasuna half, and they were rewarded when Mendez danced past the visiting defenders before firing home via the post from inside the box.
An impressive first-half Socidedad display was orchestrated by ex-Manchester City legend David Silva, who rolled back the years in front of adoring home fans.
Just like the first period, the visitors looked disjointed in attack after the interval, meaning Osasuna marksman Chimy Avila was limited to half chances. This allowed Sociedad to maintain their defensive shape and launch venomous attacks on the counter.
Opportunities soon followed and after a superb passing move, which included a brilliant Kubo backheel, Mohamed-Ali Cho smashed his effort over the bar from 12 yards.
Mendez, who has now seen his team win in nine of his last 10 goalscoring appearances, went close again just before the hour mark with a long-range effort.
An inevitable second arrived just minutes later, as Silva produced a backheel of his own in the build-up for the strike from Sorloth, who subsequently chipped Aitor Fernandez in the Osasuna net.
Ultimately, Osasuna limped over the line after being outclassed on the day - they are still yet to beat a club that began this round above them this season.
Meanwhile, delight spread across the Txuri-Urdin fans upon the full time whistle, with this latest victory fuelling belief that Sociedad can qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2012/13.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Brais Mendez (Real Sociedad)
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Villarreal 2 Valencia 1
Villarreal extended their unbeaten record at home against Valencia to six in LaLiga, following a last-gasp 2-1 win in the Derbi de la Comunitat.
Hoping to extend their four-year unbeaten home league record upon their return to the Estadio de la Ceramica after a seven-month hiatus as refurbishments were completed, Villarreal should have been ahead with less than two minutes on the clock.
However, making his first start in LaLiga since mid-September after recovering fully from a problematic muscle injury, Gerard Moreno somehow managed to fire wide from close range with an unexposed goal at his mercy.
Valencia remained powerless to the Yellow Submarine’s rampant pursuit of the game's opening goal as Giorgi Mamardashvili had his palms stung from Etienne Capoue’s fearsome strike.
However, moments after sublimely rerouting Edinson Cavani’s diving header away from danger, Pepe Reina was picking the ball out of the back of his net.
Undergoing an enterprising start to his Valencia career after scoring four times across his first seven league appearances, the towering Uruguayan was shortly celebrating his fifth, instinctively firing home the rebound after Reina failed to hold Samuel Lino’s shot.
With Valencia set for a lead at the break, Quique Setien’s side pinned back their fierce local rivals in the first minute of stoppage-time as Samuel Chukwueze fired Moreno’s pinpoint pass beyond the grasp of the advancing Mamardashvili.
In pursuit of only their second away league victory of the season, Valencia were lucky not to be reduced to ten men after referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martínez decided to show Eray Comert only a yellow card for a reckless challenge on the marauding forward Alex Baena.
After only one defeat in their last five LaLiga matches, Villarreal were close to turning the game on its head on the hour mark, only for Mamardashvili’s quick thinking to deny the menacing Moreno.
With the match heading for a share of the spoils, Juan Foyth raised the roof off the Estadio de la Ceramica two minutes from time, heading Dani Parejo’s inswinging corner past a distraught Mamardashvili.
The victory lifts Villarreal to within one point of sixth-placed Real Betis, while Valencia remain without an away win in the league against their rivals since January 2017.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Juan Foyth (Villarreal)
