Real Sociedad 2 - 1 Real Betis: Strong first half sees Real Sociedad beat Real Betis

Real Sociedad recorded only their second win in nine games to climb above Real Betis in the Primera Division table.

Firm first-half headers from Xabi Prieto and Inigo Martinez put Sociedad in control and they ran out 2-1 winners, with Betis' solitary response coming from their top scorer Ruben Castro.

The victory saw Sociedad leapfrog Betis into 13th place and went some way to erasing memories of their 5-1 thrashing at Sporting Gijon eight days earlier.

Betis' confidence levels had been raised by holding Real Madrid 1-1 last weekend, but no win in 11 games was a truer reflection of their form and they were poor in the opening exchanges.

Sociedad took an 18th-minute lead when Hector Hernandez's brilliant cross was met by the head of Prieto for the midfielder's third goal of the season.

Betis were again undone in the air after 33 minutes when Ruben Pardo swung in a free-kick and defender Martinez thundered home his first goal since March.

The visitors had failed to muster a single attempt on goal in the first period, but the half-time introduction of Joaquin and Ricky van Wolfswinkel changed the dynamics of the contest.

Betis reduced the deficit when Van Wolfswinkel delivered a perfect ball into Castro's path for a simple 51st-minute finish, his ninth goal of the season.

Van Wolfswinkel twice went close to an equaliser and Betis were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty when Asier Illarramendi sent Daniel Ceballos sprawling with 18 minutes remaining.