Real Sociedad 1 - 2 Real Madrid
(0-1) 51' Di Maria, (1-1) 61' Tamudo, (1-2) 75' Cristiano Ronaldo
It wasn't a great day for Jose Mourinho, but it ended on a high note as Real Madrid fought out a precious victory in Anoeta. Real Sociedad put up an almighty fight, and had the lively Antoine Griezman taken one of two glaring misses in the first half, they could well have caused a deserved upset. Having been spat at upon leaving the team coach and deprived of taking over Portugal for two matches next month by his club, Mourinho cut a frustrated figure on the touchline, with one truely comical moment in the second half when he flew into a blind rage, launching a bottle of water into the dugout in the process. The sulky showman is already causing a sensation in Spain and while many strangely take offence at his arrogant demeanour, I can't get enough of the man. Football is all about entertainment and Mou provides it by the bucketload.
Madrid are still to get into their stride, but as always they did enough to claim the three points. Angel Di Maria finally marked his entrance into Spanish football with a goal of the highest order and although Tamudo sneaked in to deflect Greizmanns ferocious free-kick in the net to level the scores, Cristiano provided one of his trademark bullets, aided by a heavy deflection from Pepe, to hand his team the win. It's dubious as to whether he should be awarded the goal, and even he looked embarrased to celebrate, but what CR7 wants, CR7 gets! Madrid survived a late onslaught, aided by the awesome defensive partnership of Pepe and Carvalho, and now all eyes focus on Barca as they travel to the Vicente Calderon tomorrow to take on high-flyers Atletico Madrid.
Todays other results:
Sporting Gijon 2 - 2 Athletic Bilbao
(1-0) 12' De Las Cuevas, (2-0) 23' Sangoy, (1-2) 28' Gurpegui, (2-2) 58' Llorente
Espanyol 1 - 0 Almeria
(1-0) 47' Callejón
Mallorca 2 - 0 Osasuna
(1-0) 25' Chori Castro (p), (2-0) 92' De Guzman