Real Sociedad cruise 3-1 against Sporting

San Sebastian (Spain) April 11 (IANS) Real Sociedad regained sixth-place in La Liga with a 3-1 victory over relegation-bound Sporting here.

The hosts on Monday came out determined to erase the bad impression left by recent poor performances at the Anoeta that damaged Sociedad s prospects of playing in the Europa League next season reports Efe.

Sociedad needed only nine minutes to draw first blood as William Jose exploited the latest in a long line of poor clearances by the Sporting defense to put the home side up 1-0.

Seconds later Juanmi thought he had made it 2-0 for Sociedad but the goal was disallowed for an offside.

The 2-0 came in the 26th minute when Juanmi converted with a major assist from Xabi Prieto.

Sociedad kept up the pressure in the second half pinning the visitors in their own end for long stretches.

Yuri delivered a great goal in the 77th minute to seal the win for Sociedad though Elderson managed to salvage some honour for Sporting with a tally in the 86th.

With 52 points from 31 matches Sociedad are two points behind fifth-place Villarreal and the same number ahead of Eibar in seventh.

Sporting with 22 points remain five points from safety.

--IANS
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