Real Sociedad 1-1 Getafe - Sociedad and Getafe secure La Liga status

Posted Saturday, May 21, 2011 by PA

Real Sociedad and Getafe shared the spoils from a 1-1 draw that keeps both of them in the Primera Division.

With Deportivo La Coruna losing at home to Valencia, a point was enough to keep both clubs out of trouble and, after a frantic start, it was noticeable that the intensity dropped as word came in from elsewhere.

Daniel Cata Diaz had given the visitors a ninth-minute lead, but Francisco Sutil's equaliser midway through the second half kept honours even.

Raul Tamudo had gone close for the hosts with a header early on, but it was Getafe who drew first blood to ease the nerves of the visiting fans.

It came from a free-kick, whipped in by Juan Albin, which Cata Diaz turned in from close range.

But Sociedad had no intention of making this easy and they came forward again with David Zurutuza bringing a save out of Oscar Ustari.

Albin almost doubled Getafe's advantage in the 13th minute with right-footed shot that Claudio Bravo had to push around the post.

But, in what was proving to be an end-to-end start to the match, Sociedad's Antoine Griezmann unleashed a powerful free-kick from distance which Ustari held.

The hosts were on top and Tamudo was denied a wonderful goal by Ustari as he unleashed an outstanding effort from distance.

Getafe responded to that with an attack that ended with Albin curling a free-kick narrowly over before Moral Manu missed from close range moments later.

But they were indebted to goalkeeper Ustari for their half-time lead as he made a wonderful save to tip Carlos Martinez's goal-bound header over the target seven minutes before the break.

The first-half had been frantic, but the second 45 minutes took time to get going, with no attempts on goal until Sutil blasted a free-kick over the bar just before the hour.

However, that was just a warning as Sociedad were level in the 66th minute, with Sutil heading home from Xabi Prieto's free-kick.

That proved to be the last meaningful action of the game with both teams, perhaps aware of results elsewhere working in their favour, settled for a point that keeps them in the division.

Getafe finish one point clear of the drop zone in 16th place, while Sociedad are one point and one place better off.