Real Sociedad 1 : 0 Osasuna - Tamudo on target

Veteran striker Raul Tamudo got the only goal of the game as Real Sociedad boosted their hopes of European qualification by beating struggling Osasuna at Estadio Anoeta.

The 33-year-old was on hand to tap home with 17 minutes to play as the hosts moved up to ninth in the Primera Division table and deepen Osasuna's relegation fears.

A subdued opening saw Javier Camunas blaze over from the edge of the area for Osasuna, while Antoine Griezmann did likewise at the other end.

Indeed, it took until the 36th minute for the first clear-cut chance to arrive and it was wasted by the hosts' Alberto De la Bella who fired wide from close range.

David Zurutuza then forced a save from Ricardo Lopez as the hosts continued to press for an opener.

Griezmann forced the goalkeeper into another stop early in the second half with a curling free-kick with Daniel Estrada then firing wide when well-placed.

But the best chance of the lot fell to Osasuna. Francisco Punal's corner found Javad Nekounam but his header was cleared off the line by De la Bella.

That proved to be as good as it got for the visitors as Tamudo broke the deadlock when he coolly tapped home from the edge of the six-yard box in the 73rd minute.

Tamudo's speculative effort shortly after saw Ricardo make yet another save while Krisztian Vadocz failed to make the most of Osasuna's last chance as he shot wide.

And a poor night was compounded for the away side when Abella Damia was dismissed in injury-time as he picked up a second booking for a poor tackle on Tamudo.