Depor claim vital win

Posted Monday, March 07, 2011 by PA

Deportivo La Coruna eased their relegation concerns and further damaged Real Sociedad's European hopes after claiming a narrow 2-1 victory at the Riazor.

The home side built a 2-0 lead with goals either side of half-time from strike duo Ivan Riki and Adrian Lopez, and although promoted Sociedad pulled a goal back through Imanol Agirretxe, it was not enough to deny Depor.

The victory means the Galicians move five points clear of the drop zone and to within four points of Sociedad, who could have been just two points behind sixth-placed Espanyol and the Europa League places if they had won this evening.

The first decent effort of the match came on the half-hour from Depor substitute Riki, who had replaced the injured Nouioui Lassad early on, but his low shot from a tight angle went just wide of the far post.

Riki was not to be denied four minutes before the break, though, as he produced a brilliant finish to put Depor ahead.

A free-kick into the far edge of the area was headed back into the danger zone by Diego Colotto, and Riki - standing near the penalty spot - spun to sent an acrobatic volley into the far corner of the net.

Riki's night did not last much longer as he was replaced 10 minutes into the second half, but within two minutes of his exit Depor doubled their lead.

Michel's perfect pass put leading scorer Adrian in the clear on the left-hand side of the area, and the Depor number 10 took a couple of touches before coolly slotting his shot through the legs of Sociedad goalkeeper Claudio Bravo for his fifth league goal of the season.

Sociedad, who had picked up just one point from their previous two games, gave themselves a glimmer of hope when they pulled a goal back in the 64th minute, Agirretxe heading in Xabi Prieto's cross, but the visitors could not go on to force an equaliser.