Xerez 1-3 Real Sociedad

Please do not adjust your screen settings because the scoreline above is correct dear readers - Xerez 1-3 Real Sociedad! Real Sociedad have picked up a MASSIVE three points against top of the table Xerez thanks to a magnificent hat-trick from "the madman" Abreu and for the first time in ages Real Sociedad fans around Spain and the world will have a spring in their step for days to come. Lets make no bones about it, any kind of victory is priceless at the moment for the txuri urdin but what makes this one stand out compared to others was it lookes like something has finally clicked and the hunger and passion was tangable from the players.

The first half started like a victory was a million miles away as after only 11 minutes Momo was given plenty of space to set up Bermejo for the opening goal. At this point Real fans would have been forgiven for thinking a cricket score was on the cards as Xerez have been very impressive this season and in games gone past if they score first, they normally go on to win in some considerable style. The Real Sociedad character was about to be tested big time and it was time to stand up and be counted in the League - welcome the Marcos and Abreu show! On 28 minutes Marcos set up the first of what would become a hat-trick of assists by passing to Abreu to beat Chema low into the net. The next goal was always going to be massive as a goal for the hosts could flood thoughts of self doubt into the minds of the Real Sociedad players and Luque went close but was denied by Bravo. With half-time approaching Marcos crossed perfectly for Abreu to header home and score at the perfect time. As the players came off for half-time the players had a spring in their step and so they should.

The second half was only 5 minutes long when Real Sociedad fans had to start rubbing their eyes as another cross from Marcos was clinically finished by Abreu to claim the match ball and now anything was possible! Real Sociedad were now playing like a team possesed and Marcos came close to getting the goal he deserved then Abreu was denied his fourth of the day by Chema. On 72 minutes the hero of the hour Abreu was replaced by Necati Ates and given a rapturous applause by the away fans after the shift he put in. The last minutes of the game passed without any real threat from a now deflated home team as the defence stood firm and dealt with anything that came their way. When the full-time whistle went the joy on the players faces was clear to see but rather than with relief like on so many other occasions it was now with a spring in the step like they finally discovered how to play like we all knew they could.

Only 2 weeks ago the season looked almost over but this latest win has put us straight back into the mix for promotion. A home tie against Girona awaits us next week where another win will make the top three look over their shoulders very nervously and with Abreu hitting top form and showing his Spanish doubters what he can do its a game i can't wait for.

Xerez: Chema, Francis Silva, Aythami, Mendoza, Rios, Moreno (Calle, 70 mins), Luque (Antoñito, 58 mins), Momo, Bermejo and Sarmiento (Abel, 58 mins).

Real Sociedad: Bravo, Labaka, Ansotegi, Mikel González (Castillo, 57 mins), Gerardo, Markel (Rivas, 57 mins), Aranburu, Sergio, Xabi Prieto, Abreu (Necati, 72 mins) and Marcos.