It wasn’t to be. Real Sociedad were convincingky beaten by Sevilla FC in the first league game of the New Year at Anoeta. A hat trick from Ben Yedder, with two goals in just four minutes, and another from Sarabia proved too big a blow for the Guipuzcoanos. Sevilla were an impenetrable wall and didn’t allow Real Sociedad the chance to elaborate their game to get close to the final third of the pitch.

Despite all of that, Eusebio’s team started the game strongly and at a high rhythm. A low strike from Willian José not long after kick-off, gave the Txuri-urdin hope. But on 25 minutes, Ben Yedder fipund himself clean through in an isolated incident and made no mistake. In the visitors’ next attack, the French striker complicated the situation even further with a finish from close range.

It called for a serious reaction after the break. But Sampaoli’s team remained ordered and looked dangerous on the counter attack, which is how Sarabia and then Ben Yedder added to the score. Real Sociedad looked ill at ease, although the team tried to get back in contention anyway they could. There was a wall in the way every time the team attempted to get forward this evening in Anoeta. The excellent home run, where the team hasn’t lost since August, is over. Real Sociedad continue in the privileged part of the table, knowing that they cannot lose concentration.

- Match details:

Real Sociedad: Rulli, J. Zaldua, Mikel (Aritz, min. 46), I. Martínez, Yuri B., Illarra, Granero (Canales, min. 57), X. Prieto, Carlos V. (Juanmi, min. 57), Oyarzabal, Willian J.

Sevilla FC: Sergio Rico, Mercado, Nico Pareja, Rami, Mariano, Nzonzi, Vázquez (Sarabia, min. 69), Escudero, Nasri, Ben Yedder (Correa, min.90), Vitolo (Kranevitter, min. 79).

Goals: 0-1: Ben Yedder, min. 25; 0-2: Ben Yedder, min. 29; 0-3: Sarabia, min. 73; 0-4: Ben Yedder, min. 83.

Referee: Martínez Munuera. Booked Willian J. and Yuri B. (Real Sociedad) and Vázquez, Escudero and Vitolo (Sevilla).

- Crónica de realsociedad.com