La Liga: Real Sociedad 1 Mallorca 0

Real Sociedad moved to within three points of the European qualification places with a 1-0 win over Mallorca in La Liga on Monday.

Former Espanyol man Raul Tamudo scored the game’s only goal 10 minutes into the second half.

Promoted as second-tier champions last season, Sociedad are now eighth in the table.

They are level on 34 points with seventh-placed Sevilla and three points behind Espanyol, who occupy the last Europa League qualification place in sixth.

There were few chances in the first half at an Estadio Anoeta lashed by rain and high winds.

The 33-year-old Tamudo came closest with an attempted chip two minutes before half-time, forcing a save from Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu Aouate.

The hosts began to impose themselves in the second half, with Israel international Aouate coming close to conceding an own-goal two minutes after the restart as he cleared an Antoine Griezmann corner.

And Sociedad broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when former Spain striker Tamudo connected with Daniel Estrada’s corner to fire a downward header past Aouate.

They had chances to double their lead – Tamudo shot wide and midfielder Xabi Prieto saw his effort hit the crossbar with Aouate stranded after coming off his line to foil attacker David Zurutuza.

Substitute Akihiro Ienaga had Mallorca’s best chance to level in on 75 minutes, but he was denied by Sociedad goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

Mikel Aranburu and striker Imanol Agirretxe went close to making it 2-0 late on and, while neither could breach the Mallorca defence, Sociedad saw out the closing minutes to secure victory.

Defeat means Mallorca remain 11th.

They are in no immediate danger of relegation, but look equally unlikely to make an impact on the upper reaches of the table.