Socieadad back at the top

With just three games left, Sociedad lead the table on 72 points, one ahead of Real and six ahead of Deportivo Coruna who look to have waved goodbye to their title chances following their 3-0 defeat at Galician rivals Celta Vigo on Saturday.

Sociedad lacked their usual fluency and composure as they took on a highly motivated Malaga, knowing that only a win would allow them to return to the top.

They had the better of the possession but were unable to make inroads against the well-organised Malaga defence, who appeared determined to make amends after last week’s 5-1 thrashing at Real Madrid.

But Sociedad were given their chance when Malaga were reduced to 10 men with half an hour left when midfielder Sandro was dismissed after he picked up a second booking.

The Basque team made their numerical advantage pay 15 minutes later when midfielder Igor Gabilondo netted with a powerful header after defender Aitor Lopez Rekarte had unpicked the Malaga defence with a tricky run and cross from the right.

Serbian striker Darko Kovacevic made sure of the victory two minutes from time when he latched on to a superb through ball from defender Bjorn Tore Kvarme, dribbled his way past one defender and finished off with a delicate chip over keeper Pedro Contreras to score his 19th goal of the season.

At the other end of the table Alaves and Recreativo Huelva look destined to drop out of the top flight after the two sides suffered comprehensive defeats against Catalan sides Espanyol and Barcelona on Sunday.

Alaves lost 3-1 away to fellow strugglers Espanyol, while Recreativo went down by the same scoreline at home to Barcelona.

Bar a spectacular change in fortunes, the two sides seem set to drop out of the top flight alongside basement club Rayo Vallecano who were left teetering on the brink of relegation after their goalless draw against Osasuna on Saturday.

Alaves and Recre are now four points adrift of the safety zone with just three games left to play, while Rayo need to win all their matches and hope Osasuna lose all theirs if they are to escape the drop. (Reuters)