Villarreal 2-1 Real Sociedad - Rossi shines in Yellow Submarine victory
Posted Sunday, January 23, 2011 by PA
Giuseppe Rossi's brace saw Villarreal come from behind to claim a 2-1 win against Real Sociedad to keep themselves ahead of Valencia in third place in the Primera Division.
The striker notched his 10th and 11th goals of the season in a six-minute spell either side of half-time to earn his team victory.
Sociedad had started brightly and led through keeper Diego Lopez's unfortunate own goal but were unable to muster much of a goal threat after falling behind.
Marco Ruben headed Borja Valero's corner over the bar and Villarreal had efforts from range off target from Rossi, twice, and Santi Cazorla.
Daniel Estrada's outrageous up-and-under clanged off the top of the Villarreal bar and the visitors went close again five minutes later.
Both Joseba Llorente and Mikel Aranburu stepped and shimmied but were crowded out before they could get their shots away - and the Yellow Submarine counter-attacked quickly.
Rossi was on the end of the breakaway but his curling left-foot effort was punched away by the diving Claudio Bravo.
The keeper then parried away Borja's fierce strike before Sociedad took the lead.
Diego Lopez was hugely unfortunate, tipping Aranburu's header onto the underside of the bar only for the rebound to find its way into the net via his shoulder.
Mikel Gonzalez blocked Bruno Soriano's low drive but the home team were not to be denied and went into the break level.
Rossi latched onto Cazorla's pass - which followed a fine jinking run - and finished powerfully across Claudio Bravo with his left foot.
And Cazorla was again the provider as the former Manchester United striker put his side ahead within two minutes of the restart, Rossi running onto the Spain midfielder's through-ball to clip the ball delicately beyond the onrushing keeper.
Cazorla's left-footed effort from the edge of the box was deflected onto the bar by defender Mikel Labaka and Ruben forced a save from Claudio Bravo.
Sociedad substitute Jeffrey Sarpong wanted a penalty after tumbling under pressure from Mateo Musacchio, but was booked for simulation.
Claudio Bravo denied the lively Rossi and Ruben's deft lob drifted over the bar as injury time began, but Villarreal had done enough.
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