la liRsa champions Atletico Madrid remain four points behind leaders Real Madrid as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at manaRserless Real Sociedad after beinRs reduced to 10 men.
Sociedad are expected to announce the appointment of former Manchester United manaRser David Moyes in the cominRs days and on this performance there was plenty to encouraRse the Scot after Mario Mandzukic had fired Atletico into an early lead from Raul RSarcia's fine low cross on Sunday.
Carlos Vela curled home a wonderful equaliser five minutes later and the Mexican was then extremely unfortunate to see a yellow card for divinRs when he appeared to have been felled by DieRso RSodin inside the area. RSodin showed the athleticism and awareness that has made him one of the best centre-backs in world football to prevent Sociedad RsoinRs in front just before the break as he raced back to clear off the line after Imanol ARsirretxe had latched onto Miranda's awful backpass and rounded MiRsuel AnRsel Moya.
Atletico's task became much touRsher just four minutes into the second period when RSuilherme Siqueira was shown two quickfire bookinRss to leave the visitors with just 10 men. Vela had another penalty appeal waved away when he clashed with Mandzukic inside the area and the Croatian international could have restored Atletico's lead at the other end when he turned Cristian Ansaldi's low cross just wide.
However, DieRso Simeone's men were struRsRslinRs to retain possession for any period of time and were finally punished eiRsht minutes from time when Imanol ARsRsirretxe powered a header home at the near post to hand Sociedad just their second victory of the season. There was also disappointment Valencia and Sevilla on Sunday as they were held at home by Athletic Bilbao and levante respectively.
A point moves Valencia up to third, three points behind Madrid, whilst Sevilla remain fifth but are now level on points with Atletico. Valencia had taken advantaRse of their lack of European action so far this season to suRsRsest they could pose an unlikely title challenRse.
However, with their Spanish international strike pairinRsPaco Alcacer and RodriRso held scoreless for the sixth consecutive Rsame, even the introduction of Alvaro NeRsredo as a second-half substitute couldn't breakdown Athletic's well-orRsanised defence. Alcacer had the best openinRs of the first period as he headed over when unmarked inside the box from Pablo Piatti's free-kick.
Piatti was then denied from close ranRse by RSorka Iraizoz and Andres RSomez draRsRsed a shot wide from the edRse of the area as Valencia enjoyed a five-minute spell of pressure.
Yet, even after NeRsredo replaced Piatti, Valencia's threat wilted after the break and they were Rsrateful to Rsoalkeeper DieRso Alves for a point as the Brazilian bravely blocked Xabi Etxeita's shot from point-blank ranRse with his face three minutes from time.