Darko Kovacevic struck 14 minutes from time to give Real Sociedad a much-needed 1-0 win at home to fourth-placed Osasuna in the Primera Liga today.
Sociedad, without a league win since September 21st and heavily beaten by Juventus in the Champions League in midweek, dominated against Osasuna but could not find a route to goal until Kovacevic headed in from Aitor Lopez Rekarte's cross.
Victory took last season's runners-up to sixth in the table with 12 points, still two places and two points behind Osasuna after the visitors' excellent start to the season.
Deportivo Coruna moved top of the league yesterday with a 2-1 win at home to Valencia, while Real Madrid moved up to second thanks to a 3-1 victory over Racing Santander at the Bernabeu.
Deportivo have 21 points, followed by Real and Valencia on 19 and Osasuna on 14.
Real Betis improved to fifth today with 13 points after a 3-2 win at home to Albacete.
Barcelona, down in 14th place after two successive defeats, were looking to recover in a later game away to Real Mallorca.