SEVILLE – Real Betis bounced back from two straight defeats as a Paulao header set them up for a 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad on Saturday that lifted them up to fourth in the table.
Report by Reuters
The Andalusian side had conceded a total of eight goals against Atletico Madrid and Malaga, but they managed to keep a clean sheet in an open game with chances at both ends.
They were two set-plays which decided the game as Paulao headed Betis in front after 18 minutes from a corner and Ruben Castro also with his head added to the lead with 10 minutes to go from a Benat Etxebarria free-kick.
Sociedad found themselves up against an inspired Adrian San Miguel in the Betis goal who made expert stops from Carlos Vela and Mikel Gonzalez before the break, while Emanuel Nosa also blazed over for Betis from 10 yards out.
Straight after the restart the home side were inches away from doubling their lead when Castro fired a volley which came back off the woodwork and while Real continued to press forward looking for their first points away from home this season, it was Betis that scored again through Castro.
Betis defender Pedro Mario was dismissed two minutes from the end for his second yellow card.
