Espanyol 1 - 2 Real Sociedad: Asier Illarramendi nets winner for Real Sociedad

Asier Illarramendi scored a stunning winner as Real Sociedad moved above Atletico Madrid into fourth place in LaLiga on Friday night with a 2-1 victory at Espanyol.

Carlos Vela opened the scoring for the visitors in the 26th minute, controlling a fine pass from David Zurutuza and neatly slotting a left-footed finish past Diego Lopez.

The lead was short-lived, with Hernan Perez cutting inside to evade defenders Yuri Berchiche and Inigo Martinez before coolly side-footing home.

But Illarramendi restored Sociedad's advantage just after the hour mark with a brilliant solo goal. Having picked up possession level with the centre-circle, he advanced and unleashed a wonderful curling effort which left Lopez flat-footed.

The result lifted Sociedad into the top four at the expense of Atletico, who take on Celta Vigo on Sunday. Espanyol stayed eighth.