Valencia welcomed an improving Real Sociedad outfit to the Mestalla on Saturday looking for the three points that would have moved them into the top half of the table.
They made the best possible start after just two minutes when Roberto Soldado put them ahead, but they were reduced to 10 men late in the half when Jonas was given his marching orders.
Sociedad were level moments before the interval when Alberto De la Bella struck from close range and they scored their second and then third in the second period through Mikel Gonzalez and Diego Ifran.
Soldado pulled one back for the home side with 15 minutes remaining, but the points were wrapped up when Imanol Agirretxe scored Sociedad's fourth late on, before Carlos Vela added from the penalty spot in stoppage time.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by minute live commentary below.
Afternoon all! A pulsating Saturday of Spanish football gets underway with Valencia hosting Sociedad. The home side will be desperate for the three points, but Sociedad are much improved in the past few weeks.
Teams:
Valencia: Alves; Cissokho, Pereira, Ruiz, Costa; Gago, Feghouli, Banega, Bernat; Jonas, Soldado
Real Sociedad: Bravo; Diez, M Martinez, I Martinez; De la Bella; Prieto, Pardo, Zurutuza, Griezmann; Vela, Ifran
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, both have won two of the previous five matches with the other ending in a draw. Sociedad have enjoyed the better of the recent meetings, however, winning both fixtures in the league last season.
Valencia began their league season with a point against Real Madrid and their only league defeat until late September came against Barcelona. Their Champions League form has also impressed, meanwhile, making it through to the latter stages of the competition.
October brought just two defeats out of six matches in all competitions. Meanwhile, they have lost just one of their last eight matches. That defeat came at the hands of Malaga last time out when they had three players sent off and were thumped 4-0.
They returned to form in midweek, however, with victory over Llagostera in the Copa del Rey. Although they are not inside the top half of the table, at this stage a couple of wins would be enough to put them in the European picture once more.
Sociedad, meanwhile, followed a pattern of loss/win in their opening seven league matches, but they then went five without a win as they dropped into the second half of the table. That said, their recent form has been impressive.
Back-to-back wins against Malaga and Rayo Vallecano moved them away from the relegation zone before they drew 0-0 with Osasuna in the league last time out. Mexican striker Carlos Vela has just started to pick up a bit of form and they need him to continue firing this evening.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff on this mild evening in Valencia. That can only mean one thing on Sports Mole. Time for a prediction. I am backing a 3-1 home win this evening. Be sure to remain with us for the action.
Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Supporters wrapped up in their gloves and hats? Check. Carlos Vela did not sign up for this winter weather when he joined Sociedad from Arsenal in the summer!
Sociedad get the action underway at the Mestalla. However, they cannot keep possession for longer than a couple of touches and Valencia take control. The home side will attempt to dominate in the midfield area.
GOAL! Valencia 1-0 Real Sociedad (Soldado)
Oh my word. Valencia take the lead inside the opening two minutes as Juan Bernat finds Soldado in the penalty area and the striker smashes home from close range. What a start!
The home side had taken control of the possession since the first whistle and it is just the start they would have wanted. Sociedad just need to settle down in the next few moments. You get the feeling that another Valencia goal could wrap this one up.
Decent response from Sociedad with a period of extended possession in midfield. But Valencia have started like a house on fire and are pressing in a high area. The home supporters are right up for this despite the cold weather!
Couple of free kicks in the past few moments has just dampened the early tempo set by the home side. Not a great deal of attacking intent from either side at the moment with Valencia controlling the midfield. Ever Banega makes such a difference to their team. He is such a calming influence.
We haven't seen anything from the Sociedad danger men in Vela or Griezmann in the opening stages of this match. The home side are holding a high line and it is leaving no space in behind. Meanwhile, the home supporters remain in good voice and it is feeding onto their team.
Not a great deal to report at the moment after such a lively start. Valencia continue to dominate possession with Fernando Gago and Juan Bernet enjoying plenty of touches in the midfield. But neither side has threatened since the opening goal.
Half-chance for the home side as Feghouli dances past the challenge of two Sociedad defenders before driving a low cross into the penalty area, but Inigo Martinez is on hand to clear the danger. You just feel that the wide positions could be key in this match.
CHANCE! Clearest opening of the match comes to the away side as Vela finds the run of Griezmann on the break, but the Frenchman's effort is straight at Diego Alves and the danger is cleared. What a chance to level the terms.
Another half-chance comes to Sociedad as Vela finds the head of Diego Ifran in the penalty area, but the striker can only loop his effort into the arms of Alves. Best period of the match for the away side at the moment as they continue to force the issue.
Sociedad continue to force the issue as they gain a couple of free kicks around the Valencia box. But the quality is poor and the danger is cleared. Carlos Martinez Diez links up well with Xabi Prieto, but Alves comes to collect the danger.
Decent response from Valencia as they force a couple of attacks down each wing, but Soldado cannot collect on each occasion and the danger is cleared. We haven't seen much from Jonas in the opening 21 minutes of football.
CHANCE! Best chance of the match for the away side as Vela finds Ifran in the penalty area, but somehow Alves gets down low to turn the striker's effort wide of the post. That is a save of the very highest order. It should be 1-1.
Real end-to-end football at the moment as both sides go in search of the next goal. Vela has started to cause the Valencia defence problems, but Soldado is a real threat for the home side. I will put my neck on the line here and say there is no way that this will finish 1-0.
Sociedad's spell of possession continues with Zurutuza, Ruben Pardo and Xabi Prieto enjoying plenty of the ball in the midfield area. And with the pace of Vela they do boast a real threat in this match. But Valencia as the home side are trying to force the issue.
Valencia are the making of their own problems as the moment as they continue to give possession away outside their penalty area. The away side force a couple of corners, but Alves is on hand to push the danger clear on two occasions. There is no doubt that Sociedad have been the better side since falling behind.
It's good pressure from Gago in the midfield area as he takes possession away from Pardo before feeding Soldado, but the striker can only turn wide at the far post. That is always the danger for the away side. The next goal in this match - if there is one - will be crucial.
Best spell of the match for Valencia since taking the lead. Sociedad are really struggling to get out of their own half at the moment with Jonas and Bernat both occupying positions wide of Soldado. Both sides have been nice and tidy on the ball thus far.
Just as I say that Sociedad launch a counter attack with Vela and Griezmann at the heart of it, but the latter's cross is too close to the goalkeeper and Alves comes to collect. Little over 10 minutes of the half remaining and Valencia still lead.
The end-to-end period of football continues as both sides exchange a couple of counter attacks. But nothing much to report in each of those with the danger being quelled on each occasion. Feghouli has a shot from distance for the home side, but it is wide of the target.
Decent couple of minutes from the away side as Vela combines with Ifran in the penalty area, but the Mexican is tackled in the act of shooting. Valencia have the ball in the back of the net moments later, but Soldado's effort is ruled offside.
Both sides continue to exchange possession in the middle of midfield in a fairly scrappy couple of minutes. Little over five minutes of action remaining in the opening half and it is so delicately poised.
Half-chance for the away side as Griezmann pounces on a long pass from Pardo, but the Frenchman can only fire wide of the target from just inside the penalty area. It really has been an end-to-end opening 41 minutes to this match.
RED CARD: Jonas (Valencia): Valencia are reduced to 10 men as Jonas is adjudged to have elbowed Zurutuza during a coming together. There did not appear to be a great deal in it but that is the decision and now Valencia will be tested.
We have just seen another look at the red card and there really did not seem to be an awful lot in it. But the decision has raised Sociedad and they are ending the half the better.
GOAL! Valencia 1-1 Real Sociedad (De la Bella)
Sociedad level on the stroke of the interval as De la Bella comes forward from defence to fire a powerful effort into the back of the net. Well that has changed things!
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes of football at the end of the half. The entire complexion of this match has changed since the red card.
The away side are ending the opening period on the attack. They do not want this half to end. Valencia are really hanging on at the moment and need the interval. What a half of football it has been.
Valencia 1-1 Real Sociedad
A pulsating 45 minutes of action is brought to an end with Valencia and Real Sociedad level at 1-1. Soldado handed the home side an early lead, but Sociedad levelled through De le Bella just before the break.
The opening half also brought a moment of controversy with Jonas seeing red for the home side. The card was given for an elbow on Zurutuza, but there did not appear to be a great deal in it. It has been a really bright first half of football.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Sociedad have edged the possession with 53%, while they have had eight attempts on goal to the home side's four. It would have been harsh had Sociedad entered the break behind.
Just a reminder that we have two more pulsating matches to bring you this evening from La Liga. Barcelona host Bilbao and Atletico Madrid travel to Real Madrid for the Madrid derby. Stay with us for the evening's events and you will not miss a kick.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. Will Valencia attempt to shut up shop or will they go for the three points and risk being hit on the counter? We will soon find out.
Valencia get the action underway in the second half. Let's hope that the next 45 brings as much excitement as the first. It really has been a pulsating half of La Liga football.
Half-chance for the home side at the beginning of the second period as Soldado finds the run of Juan Bernat in the box, but the midfielder cannot release a strike and the danger is cleared. It appears that they have seen sent out to attack rather than sit and hold.
Possession football for the away side at the moment with Zurutuza and Ruben Pardo controlling the midfield. They continue to pass and probe but have yet to really find that final ball. But you just get the feeling that Vela and Griezmann will cause problems on the counter.
Not a great deal to report in terms of chances in the past few minutes. Sociedad are well in control of the possession, but Valencia are defending in numbers and have quelled the danger on each occasion. But you just get the feeling that a goal is coming.
CHANCE! Sociedad come within a whisker of taking the lead as Vela curls an effort from the edge of the penalty area, but it just misses the post as Alves stood and watched. Valencia really need a period of possession here.
Decent spell of possession from the home side as Soldado and Banega combine outside the penalty area. The Spanish striker has a shot, but Bravo is on hand to make the save. Meanwhile, Sociedad have a penalty shout turned down at the other end.
The temperature has just been raised once more as Sociedad commit numbers to a counter attack. Vela has an effort from outside the penalty area, but Alves pushes it wide of the post for another corner.
GOAL! Valencia 1-2 Real Sociedad (Mikel Gonzalez)
Sociedad take the lead from the resulting corner as Gonzalez rises highest in the penalty area to thump his header past Alves. What a turnaround here and it has been coming.
Valencia attempt to launch an immediate response as Soldado pounces onto a loose pass from Banega, but the striker simply cannot make a yard an the danger is cleared. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in this match.
Sociedad are well in control of the match at the moment as they pass and probe in midfield. It must be said that Ruben Pardo has been a real star thus far. But you just get the sense that there are more goals in this match.
The home side are preparing a couple of chances and how they need it. Soldado desperately needs some support in attack. The early noise from the home supporters has disappeared and it is certainly affecting the players.
Half-chance for Valencia as Feghouli gains a yard on the right before firing a low cross into the penalty area, but Soldado just cannot make contact and the danger is cleared. The striker has another effort moments later, but he fires wide.
GOAL! Valencia 1-3 Real Sociedad (Ifran)
Sociedad move further ahead as Ifran gathers a pass from Vela before rounding the goalkeeper and finding the back of the net. This could get nasty for the home side in the remaining 25 minutes.
Couple of changes for Valencia as Cissokho is replaced by Jose Andres Guardado and Bernat is replaced by Jonathan Viera. The goal was certainly raised the home side's tempo but is it too late?
It's been a good response from the home side with Guardado and Soldado both coming close with chances, but Sociedad clear the danger to remain 3-1 ahead. Gaps will certainly open up for the away side with Valencia continuing to push forward.
It really is a pulsating encounter at the moment with both sides flying into challenges, but the free kicks continue to fall for the away side and they are wasting time on each occasion. It is going to take something special from Valencia to save this with 10 men.
Change for the away side as Chorey Castro replaces Zurutuza. Little over 15 minutes of the match remaining. Is there something left in this for the home side?
GOAL! Valencia 2-3 Real Sociedad (Soldado)
Yes there is! Soldado pulls another goal back for his side to cut the score to 3-2. What a final 17 minutes of football we have at the Mestalla.
Change for the away side as Javier Ros replaces Griezmann, who has faded in the second period. I said at 1-0 that there would be more goals in this and I was correct for once. And I can say that there are still more goals left in this one.
Third and final change for the home side as Nelson Valdez replaces Pereira. A striker for a defender and they have 10 men. If that is not going for the win then I do now know what is. Can we play another 45 minutes at the end of the 90 please? It has been that good.
Another change for the away side as Ifran is replaced by Imanol Agirretxe. The striker was carried off on a stretcher and it did not look too clever. Hopefully he will be alright. Valencia on the attack with little over 10 minutes remaining.
End-to-end football at the moment with both side exchanging attacks, but no real chances for either teams despite the pressure. Valencia are forcing the issue, but the away side are such a threat on the counter-attack.
Half-chance for the home side as they force a free kick outside the penalty area. Soldado's effort is into the box, but the danger is cleared and now Sociedad launch a counter-attack of their own.
GOAL! Valencia 2-4 Real Sociedad (Imanol Agirretxe)
Sociedad well and truly wrap up the points as Agirretxe pounces on a loose ball inside the penalty area to finish from close range. That is game, set and match.
Right, we have little under five minutes of football remaining and Sociedad lead by two goals. Bar a minor miracle you have to think that this match is over. The pressure is coming from Sociedad in the final moments.
Valencia launch an attack of their own as Soldado attempts to find the run of Guardado, but the danger is cleared and Sociedad again flood forward on the counter. They want some more goals in this match.
PENALTY TO SOCIEDAD: The away side have a penalty as Ros is bundled over in the penalty area.
GOAL! Valencia 2-5 Real Sociedad (Vela)
Vela adds gloss to the scoreline in the latter stages as he converts from the penalty spot. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates four minutes of stoppage time.
Little over a minute of football remaining and Sociedad are well in control. What an eventful match. It has been incredible.
Valencia 2-5 Real Sociedad
A pulsating 90 minutes of football is brought to a close with Sociedad winning 5-2 against 10-man Valencia. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and stay with us for Barcelona vs. Bilbao.
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
