Oyarzábal's early goal didn't dent Sevilla's spirits, who bounced back and equalised after a quarter of an hour
The early goal, instead of frustrating Lopetegui's men or making them lose their nerve of the pitch, revitalised them and Sevilla started to unleash their attacking football on both wings and to dominate possession in the midfield. Despite chances falling to Ocampos and Nolito on their respective flanks, they weren't able to put Moyá under a huge amount of pressure in the opening stages.
However, just after the 15 minute mark, Banega floated a brilliant pass into Nolito, who finished it with aplomb. He struck his volley sweetly into the bottom corner out of the reach of Moyá, giving Sevilla the equaliser they deserved. Sevilla were level, and continued to impose their game on to Sociedad on the surface at the Sánchez-Pizjuán.
Ocampos and Koundé had chances in the first half to give Sevilla the lead at half-time
Up until half-time, Sevilla continued to put pressure on Sociedad's goal, with chances aplenty. Ocampos forced Moyá into making a good save after creating the opportunity with some excellent play down the right hand side, whilst Koundé nearly scored with an acrobatic effort which resulted from a corner.
A great goal by Ocampos gave Sevilla the lead, who weren't finished there with the scoring
It was as if the referee didn't blow for half-time, as Sevilla started the second half with even more purpose than they had ended the first. With this impetus, they returned the favour to Sociedad by inflicting on them an early goal at the start of the half. Ocampos, showing his strength and persistence, didn't give Moyá a sniff with his rocket of a strike to give Sevilla their second goal.
Sevilla, now playing well, were dominating on the field and on the scoreline and they continued to play their football and didn't allow Real Sociedad, who couldn't get a hold of the game, a second on the ball. The scoreline could have been extended when the threatening Banega drove a shot across the area which was nearly turned in by Fernando.
With Vázquez's goal, Sevilla had a cushion which only lasted for a few minutes
Real Sociedad did not have the final say in a game where Sevilla were looking for a two goal cushion. Before a rasping shot by Jordán, which hit the woodwork, Isak found himself one-on-one with Vaclík but could only put it wide. Moments later, Willian José nearly robbed our Czech goalkeeper of the ball, which shook the defensive stability of Sevilla for a while.
And then, finally, it came. Pozo, who was making his debut at the Sánchez-Pizjuán, and who had shown much promise since coming on to the pitch, penetrated the backline of the opponent and put the ball across the area. After a deflection, Vázquez was on hand to send the Sevilla fans wild with a cool finish from a few yards out.
Portu brought Sociedad back into the game, but Sevilla held on for the win
However, just as Sevilla must have thought that the game was won, Portu was played through and placed his shot across the goal, out of the reach of Vaclík, to make it 3-2. Thankfully, Thursday night's match against Eibar was not to be repeated. Sevilla held out well in the closing stages of the match and secured an important victory, after losing their previous two matches against Real Madrid and Eibar.
Sevilla are back in action this Thursday night, at home against Apoel with kick off at 21.00, in the second matchday of the UEFA Europa League.
MATCH STATISTICS
3. SEVILLA FC: Vaclík, Jesús Navas, Diego Carlos, Koundé, Reguilón, Fernando, Banega (Vázquez, minute 78), Óliver Torres (Jordán, minute 60), Nolito, Ocampos (Pozo, minute 70) and De Jong.
2. REAL SOCIEDAD: Moyá, Zaldúa, Elustondo, Llorente (Mikel Merino, minute 46), Monreal, Zubeldia, Zurutuza (Isak, minute 60), Odegaard, Januzaj (Portu, minute 54), Oyarzábal and Willian José.
GOALS: 0-1 Oyarzábal, minute 3. 1-1 Nolito, minute 17. 2-1 Ocampos, minute 47. 3-1 Vázquez, minute 80. 3-2 Portu, minute 86.
REFEREE: Arberola Rojas. Yellow cards for Odegaard and Fernando.
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