La Real subdues Villarreal and Betis minimizes damage

The Basques tighten the fight for the 'Champions' zone

Cádiz and Espanyol share a duel to get out of the bottom

MADRID, 9 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Real Sociedad beat Villarreal (1-0) this Sunday on matchday eight of LaLiga Santander to join the fight for the Champions League zone, while Real Betis endured a goalless draw against Real Valladolid playing with one less from minute 35 and Cádiz and Espanyol signed an entertaining 2-2.

The Basque team recorded its third victory in a row to tie Atlético and Betis with 16 points, while Submarino is left with 12 after four days without winning. Imanol Alguacil's team was owner and lord of the first half, with strong pressure and a succession of arrivals until he found the prize in a Reale Arena enjoying the display of his team.

Merino drew the perfect pass so that the Basque goal man, Brais Méndez, made it 1-0 after half an hour. Unai Emery's team did not exist until he was forced to step forward in the second half. However, the danger continued to be 'txuri-urdin', with Sorloth forgiving a couple of very clear chances. The yellow team ended up overturning the match in the rival area, with a mistake that dropped them from the upper area.

For the second day in a row, Betis was left early with one less player, this time a direct red card to Pezzella. After the defeat against Celta, the Betis team held out this midday at the José Zorrilla to add a point with which they did not avoid giving up fourth place although they tied with Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid at 16.

Valladolid, two points above relegation, did not take advantage of the situation, lacking ideas and without aim. The Betis goalkeeper Rui Silva was also inspired and frustrated a Pucelano team that was looking for its second victory in a row. Pezzella changed the script with the lack of him as the last defender, although the referee needed VAR. Sergio León and Sergi Guardiola forgave the locals and Betis defended well and also had their chances with Borja Iglesias.

Meanwhile, in a duel to get out of the lower zone, Cádiz and Espanyol shared the points in a nice exchange of blows (2-2). The Andalusians saved the point that did not take them out of the relegation zone with Lucas Pérez's goal in the 78th minute. The local team had taken the lead at the Nuevo Mirandilla through Chust, but a brace from Joselu put them in control to a 'parrot' team that missed the second victory of the course.