La Real Sociedad came out at cruising speed, with their clearly defined style and playing with confidence. Las Palmas were under the cosh against the team from San Sebastián, and their first approach on the away team’s area nearly resulted in a goal, with a header by Llorente, which went narrowly wide (min. 5).
Las Palmas then cut short the Basque team’s dominance with a great triangle move between Vitolo and Viera that Tana was unable to finish off (min. 12). Las Palmas managed to string together their football with Viera’s passing and the speed of Remy. In the 21st minute, the French forward had a shot that was not dealt with by Rully, and was headed over the line by Tana to put his side ahead 0-1. Ayestarán’s team were unsettling Real, who could find no way past the Canarian back line. Then in the 30th minute Willian José popped up to level the scores 1-1.
The game featured good periods of play by Las Palmas, who were able to withhold the siege by Real to reach half time on level terms. Michel Macedo and Januzaj both had chances to put their side ahead, from both wings, but were unable to threaten the away team’s goal.
In the second half, Real should have gone ahead after just 5 minutes. Willian José and Oyarzábal missed two clear chances against away goalkeeper Raúl Lizoain. Eusebio’s side were making continual inroads into the away goal. Las Palmas had dropped back a few yards and were finding it hard to get forward with the ball. The ex-yellows’ player, Willian José hit another shot wide (min. 60) when handily placed. But then the comeback by the home team seemed complete with a goal by Januzaj.
In the 66th minute, Jonathan Viera was able to pick up an awkward clearance by Argentinian goalkeeper Rully to score his side’s equalizer from fully 35 yards. The game was back to square one. Real Sociedad had more possession and pushed forward more, but the best chances fell to Remy (in the 87th and 90th minutes), firstly with a carefully placed shot that rebounded back off the post, and another quick shot that was superbly blocked by Rully. The final whistle came with a well earned point, and a more positive outlook for Las Palmas.
