Real Sociedad 0-2 Athletic: Raul Garcia & Williams seal Basque derby win

Real Sociedad 0-2 Athletic: Raul Garcia & Williams seal Basque derby win

Athletic Club strengthened their hopes of qualifying for Europe while at the same time damaging Real Sociedad's Champions League hopes in a typically damp Basque derby on Sunday. 

Ernesto Valverde's side have struggled on the road this season, but scored twice at Anoeta to secure a 2-0 win and move on to 44 points, just one behind sixth-placed Villarreal. 

As for La Real, their failure to pick up any points sees them slip four points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, who beat Granada on Saturday. 

Athletic were the better side in the first half and took the lead after 28 minutes when Xabi Prieto fouled Yeray Alvarez in the box. 

With Aritz Aduriz on the bench with a slight injury, Raul Garcia stepped forward and beat Geronimo Rulli from the penalty spot. 

The second goal arrived shortly after the half-time interval when Inaki Williams took advantage of some sloppy defending from the home side to score his first league goal since December. 

La Real improved once two goals behind and Raul Navas had a header harshly ruled out for a fouling while jumping, but Athletic had more than enough to see the game out. 

Real Sociedad: Rulli; Odriozola, Iñigo Martínez, Navas, Yuri; Illarramendi, Zurutuza (Granero, min. 86), Xabi Prieto; Juanmi (Bautista, min. 57), Oyarzabal (Canales, min. 74), Vela.

Athletic Club: Kepa; Yeray, Laporte, Balenziaga, Bóveda; Beñat (Iturraspe, min. 74), San José, Raúl García; Lekue, Muniain (Aduriz, min. 60), Williams (De Marcos, min. 88).

Goals: 0-1, min. 28: Rául García. 0-2, min. 56: Williams.