Real Sociedad thrash Espanyol to move clear of relegation zone

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:04 am
Jonathas, second left, led Real Sociedad's attack with two goals.
Alex Caparros/Getty Images

Real Sociedad moved six points clear of the Primera Division relegation zone after thrashing strugglers Espanyol 5-0 at the Cornella-El Prat Stadium.

The visitors raced into a two-goal lead through fine finishes from Jonathas in the fifth minute and Carlos Vela in the eighth.

Another quick-fire double then put them out of sight early in the second half as Mikel Oyarzabal and Diego Reyes netted in the 52nd and 55th minutes respectively, before Jonathas struck again in the 90th.

Having built on the 2-1 win over Real Betis in their previous match, Eusebio Sacristan's men move up from 14th to 11th in the table.

Their opponents -- thumped 6-0 at Real Madrid last time out -- remain 17th, a point clear of the drop zone, after an utterly abject display.

Espanyol went into this contest with only one win in seven league games under Constantin Galca and none in the last six.

It very quickly looked unlikely they would be adding another triumph here as La Real swiftly took firm control of proceedings with two excellent pieces of play.

The first saw Vela's fine lofted pass prodded neatly by Jonathas over Giedrius Arlauskis from the edge of the box as the goalkeeper rushed out to meet him.

Vela then latched onto a wonderful Ruben Pardo through-ball and beat Arlauskis from a similar distance with an outrageous chip.

Having failed to muster much of a response, Espanyol were subsequently punished for giving the ball away as Oyarzabal played a clever one-two with Pardo before slotting past Pau Lopez, on at half-time for Arlauskis.

Pardo's corner was then headed in by Reyes seconds later to put the matter beyond doubt.

The hosts finally threatened after that through Burgui and Marco Asensio but could not fashion a consolation, and Jonathas then added his second late on, capitalising on more awful home defending.