La Liga: Deportivo La Coruna 2 Real Sociedad 1

Real Sociedad’s hopes of a European berth have taken another blow after they fell 2-1 at Deportivo La Coruna in Monday’s lone La Liga match.

Sociedad have taken just one point from their past three league outings, following a 1-1 draw at home with Levante and a 4-1 loss at Espanyol, and came undone at the hands of an improved Deportivo at the Riazor, who stretched their unbeaten run in La Liga to six fixtures.

Substitute striker Riki, who was introduced in the 13th minute to replace the injured Nouioui Lassad, looked lively in the first half and produced a brilliant finish to put Deportivo ahead in the 41st minute.

Diego Colotto nodded a free kick towards Riki near the penalty spot, and the Tunisian turned and fired an acrobatic volley beyond Sociedad custodian Claudio Bravo.

There was more pain to come in the second half as Adrian stretched the hosts’ lead in the 57th minute, the former Spain Under-21 international threading his shot through Bravo’s legs after being put into the clear by Michel’s sublime through ball.

Socieded forward Imanol Agirretxe kept the contest lively by pulling a goal back for the visitors in the 65th minute, but their efforts to find an equaliser were thwarted by Deportivo goalkeeper Aranzubia.

Deportivo rise to 13th on the table, four points clear of the drop zone with 11 games left in the season, while Sociedad remain ninth and five points adrift of the Europa League places.