Real Sociedad 0 : 0 Espanyol - Stalemate for Sociedad

Posted Sunday, November 20, 2011 by PA

Real Sociedad extended their winless run in La Liga to eight games to remain in deep trouble at the bottom of the table following a 0-0 draw against Espanyol.

The San Sebastian side have now taken just two points from the last 24 available after failing to find a way past the visitors, who drew for only the second time in 12 matches this season.

The hosts threatened first when Joseba Llorente drilled an effort wide from 12 yards in the eighth minute, but Sociedad defender Jon Ansotegui was then called on to block a Vladimir Weiss shot at the other end.

Espanyol suffered a blow when striker Sergio Garcia had to be substituted in the 17th minute, Thievy Koulossa coming on in his place.

Neither side were able to create clear-cut chances and Ndri Romaric's 30-yard effort sailed wide for Espanyol after half an hour, while Imanol Agirretxe's close-range strike for Sociedad was also off target.

Espanyol goalkeeper Cristian Alvarez made a stunning stop to deny Llorente in the 40th minute after the striker got on the end of Carlos Vela's cross from the right.

Sociedad ended the half on top, but without a goal to show for it as another ball into the box from Xabi Prieto was cleared away by Raul Rodriguez and Agirretxe headed wide from Asier Illarramendi's cross.

Espanyol started the second half more positively and Claudio Bravo saved well from Romaric and the goalkeeper then reacted smartly to keep out another effort from Alvaro Vazquez.

Bravo denied Ivorian midfielder Romaric twice more in four second-half minutes before three substitutions followed as both sides tried to shake things up sufficiently to claim all three points.

Ansotegui fired wide in the 76th minute before Espanyol's second substitute, Cristian Gomez, struck the post with 10 minutes left.

Bravo did well to hold onto a Rodriguez shot from Weiss' cross, and with six minutes to go Ruben Pardo drilled a 20-yard shot wide for the hosts.

Mikel Aranburu's late overhead kick from Carlos Martinez's cross drifted wide of Alvarez's left-hand post and Rui Fonte fired the final chance over the top for Espanyol in the third minute of stoppage time.