David Moyes' slow start to the season goes on in Real Sociedad draw

Real Sociedad laboured to a 0-0 draw at home to Athletic Club in La Liga to continue a slow start to the season for David Moyes' team.The former Manchester United manager's position has come under scrutiny over the past week since a 3-2 home defeat by Espanyol left them out of the relegation zone only on goal difference.Sunday evening's result means Sociedad are now three points above the relegation zone, and two above their 17th-placed Basque rivals Athletic, after their opening six fixtures of the Spanish league season.That the past three derbies between the two teams had finished 1-1 suggested that there is little between the two rivals, so the goalless draw was perhaps little surprise, even if Sociedad were the stronger team over the course of the 90 minutes.Athletic, however, were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty in the 40th minute when Asier Illarramendi, who re-joined Sociedad from Real Madrid in the summer for B£12.5million two years after joining the Spanish giants for B£28.5million, blocked a goalbound shot with his arms.Sociedad had come the closest to scoring with just minutes remaining, when, under pressure, goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz made an impressive triple save from three close-range chances.The first promising goalscoring opportunity of the evening came to Athletic, in the seventh minute, when Raul Garcia, reaching a loose ball on the edge of the Sociedad area, shot wide of the post when well placed to score.Imanol Agirretxe threatened for Sociedad soon after that, with a low strike from just inside the area, but Iraizoz reacted to it with a routine save.Beyond Sociedad's late chance, the game's most promising opportunity fell to Sergio Canales who, receiving possession from David Zurutuza, sent a low shot just wide of the far post.The lively Canales almost scored again minutes later with a cross-come-shot that had Iraizoz beaten, minutes before Athletic's dangerous Aritz Aduriz tested Sociedad goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.Agirretxe had another chance to score, this time with a header from Xabi Prieto's cross, but he instead guided the ball straight to Iraizoz.It was in the 88th minute when a Sociedad goal truly should have arrived. From Bruma's teasing cross, which was parried by Iraizoz, Jonathas de Jesus had two close-range chances but watched the quickly-reacting goalkeeper save each. Athletic could then have scored on the counter if Inaki Williams had succeeded in creating a clear shot on goal, and Sociedad responded again by adding further pressure on the visitors, but a goal ultimately eluded each.