Sociedad see off Barça, Eibar win
David Moyes' Real Sociedad held on to record a narrow 1-0 victory over Barcelona as they returned to winning ways at a damp Anoeta on Sunday evening. An early own goal from Jordi Alba was all the hosts needed as they held off a second-half onslaught from substitute Lionel Messi, with Luis Suarez also denied as Sociedad moved up to 13th in the Primera Division table.
Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli and the Sociedad defence worked hard to keep the Catalans at bay during Moyes' eighth game in charge as Sociedad claimed their third home victory in succession over Barça, who remain one point behind leaders Real Madrid. After just two minutes of play, the home side took the lead as Alba put into his own net in a failed attempt to clear the ball from the Barça goal, slotting past team-mate Claudio Bravo into the bottom corner from Xabi Prieto's cross from the right of the 18-yard box.
Xavi came very close to netting an equaliser for Barça midway through the first half but his curled free-kick just outside the Sociedad box went narrowly over the bar. Moments after the half-hour mark Barcelona had an appeal for handball against Inigo Martinez dismissed by referee Carlos del Cerro Grande as they were denied what looked to be a clear penalty.
The visitors continued to search for an equaliser with Pedro shooting wide from close range minutes later, while Jeremy Mathieu was unfortunate to send his long-range effort over the crossbar as Barça pressed forward. Sociedad's Prieto was brought down by Alba in front of the Barça goal little over ten minutes before the break, but appeals for a spot-kick went unheard as Messi warmed up on the touchline.
Barça had a good chance to level as Xavi picked out Pedro 25 yards out but his powerful shot forced a great save out of Rulli and the hosts went in at half-time with a narrow advantage.
Enrique calls on Messi, Neymar
Messi joined the action at the start of the second half, while Neymar came on for Pedro after 58 minutes in an attempt to breathe some life into the Barça side. Messi came close to scoring a leveller midway through the second half but he sent Neymar's cross past Rulli's goal. Neymar had an effort saved with 20 minutes left as he played the ball into the 18-yard box before Rulli came out and claimed it with a diving save before the threat became any more dangerous.
Messi collected Suarez's flick back moments later but the Argentina international shot over the bar as the away side continued to dominate. Luis Enrique's men still found it hard to break down the Sociedad defence but were not short of chances, with Martinez clearing two good efforts to deny them as the half wore on. Barça searched hard for an equaliser as time began to run out and Suarez broke the line of defenders before the ball was quickly cleared, then his header was tipped over the bar by Rulli.
Tempers began to fray towards the end of the match with Alfred Finnbogason and Alba both booked following challenges while Carlos Vela also limped off for the hosts, but they held on for maximum points during the three minutes of added time.
Eibar continue fairytale
Eibar enjoyed a stellar 2014 and carried it over to 2015 by taking all three points from their opening match of the year, a 2-1 win over Espanyol at the Power8 Stadium to move up to eighth.
Manu del Moral opened the scoring for the visitors in the 34th minute and moments later Eneko Boveda widened the gap with a headed goal from a corner. Felipe Caicedo pulled one back late on but the Catalans were unable to avert a second home defeat of the season, which sees them fall three points behind the Basques.
