Villarreal close in on LaLiga's top four with impressive win over Real Sociedad
This match pitted together two teams battling to secure European football again next season after seeing their respective continental adventures end last month, as Quique Setien’s Villarreal suffered a UEFA Europa Conference League round of 16 defeat to Anderlecht and Real Sociedad were beaten by AS Roma at the same stage of the UEFA Europa League.
There was a lively start to the contest in eastern Spain, with Pepe Reina called into action to keep out efforts from Takefusa Kubo and Alexander Sorloth, while Yeremy Pino hit the post at the end of a slick move from the hosts.
Jose Luis Morales should have put Villarreal in front after latching onto a perfectly-weighted ball by Ramon Terrats, only to blaze his shot over the bar as halftime approached.
The frenetic nature of the contest continued after the break, and Kubo was inches away from giving Imanol Alguacil’s men the lead with a superb long-range strike which clipped the crossbar. The Japan international then turned provider for Mikel Merino inside the box, but the midfielder fired wide after being unmarked inside the box.
However, it was the Yellow Submarine that struck first from the penalty spot through Dani Parejo, who sent Alex Remiro the wrong way after Samuel Chukwueze was brought down by Martin Zubimendi in the box.
Chukwueze then picked out Pino moments later as Villarreal looked to double their advantage, but the latter’s diving header was off target.
A second goal did come courtesy of Nicolas Jackson, who worked his way into a central position inside the box and clinically dispatched a shot past Remiro. Jackson ended the match with an early bath though, after receiving a second yellow card for a challenge on Zubimendi.
Villarreal remain sixth following the win but cut the gap between themselves and fourth-placed Real to four points in this intriguing jostle at the top end of the table.
Flashscore Player of the Match: Dani Parejo (Villarreal)