Real Sociedad beat Levante 2-1 at Anoeta Stadium to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to six matches and record a fourth consecutive home victory against their opponents.
The result also means Sociedad have won six of their past eight LaLiga games, lifting Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side to fifth in the table. Their strong form has continued since winning last season’s Copa del Rey, raising hopes of a return to the UEFA Champions League.
Sociedad made the quicker start and took the lead after only six minutes. Orri Oskarrson met Hector Fort’s whipped delivery from close range and converted to put the hosts ahead.
Levante responded with their first significant opportunity midway through the opening period. Thiago Fernandez’s cross found Nacho Perez, who poked the ball beyond Alex Remiro to level the match.
Fernandez then came close to completing the turnaround, but sent a close-range effort over the crossbar. That miss appeared to prompt Sociedad to regain their momentum, and they restored their advantage a minute later.
Mikel Oyarzabal looked set to shoot from the edge of the penalty area, but Benat Turrientes moved ahead of him and finished into the bottom corner.
Oskarrson was at the centre of Sociedad’s attacking play during the next 10 minutes, testing Levante’s defence with three attempts from promising positions. None of them, however, found the target.
At the other end, a deflected effort from Fernandez forced Remiro into a save shortly before half-time.
Sociedad continued to control the game after the interval, although Goncalo Guedes was unable to keep his shot inside the frame of the goal.
Levante introduced Karl Etta Eyong, who had an excellent chance to equalise only minutes after coming on. He met a free-kick with a volley midway through the second half but lifted it over the bar.
Oskarrson was involved again soon afterwards, dragging an effort wide, before Guedes and Fort both missed chances from a combined distance of 12 yards.
Levante remained within one goal of their hosts as the closing stages approached, but struggled to apply sustained pressure. Their late challenge-heavy approach resulted in several yellow cards, while Sociedad managed the remaining minutes effectively.
The victory leaves Levante with only one win from their past seven games. They are two points above the relegation zone.
Benat Turrientes was named Flashscore Man of the Match for Real Sociedad.