Espanyol 2 : 2 Real Sociedad - A point a piece is no good

Espanyol and Real Sociedad fought out an entertaining 2-2 draw on Saturday which did neither side's ambitions any real favours.

The home side needed a win to boost their flagging Champions League aspirations, while Sociedad were looking for three points to end any fears of being dragged into the relegation battle.

But both sides had to settle for a point after Espanyol recovered from 2-0 down, with all four goals coming in rapid bursts of action.

Carlos Vela scored in the 12th and 15th minutes to put the visitors in command, but an own goal from Vadim Demidov on the stroke of half-time and an equaliser from Vladimir Weiss just three minutes into the second half ensured the spoils were shared.

Vela opened the scoring in style after receiving a pass from Xabi Prieto, the former Arsenal player then firing a shot into the top corner from 25 yards.

And it was 2-0 just three minutes later when Vela lobbed goalkeeper Francisco Casilla from 12 yards after being set up by David Zurutuza.

A stunned Espanyol understandably took some time to settle and it was not until the 25th minute that they threatened with a header from Phillippe Coutinho which went wide.

The same player's shot was then saved by Claudio Bravo before his side were gifted a way back into the contest as the unfortunate Demidov diverted the ball into his own net from six yards following a corner.

And Espanyol were soon back on level terms in the second half when Weiss fired home from 12 yards with just three minutes gone.

Both sides went in search of a winner and Kalu Uche saw his header saved by Bravo before the striker was substituted moments later.

Bravo was again called into action on 63 minutes to tip a header from Raul Rodriguez around the post, while Sergio Garcia also headed over as the game petered out.