Carlos Vela helped Real Sociedad overcome a European hangover when he grabbed a second-half equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw at promoted Elche in La Liga on Saturday.
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Valencia, expected to challenge Sociedad for a top- four finish next May, lost 3-1 at Espanyol despite having taken an early lead though Helder Postiga.
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Sociedad impressed in their 2-0 Champions League playoff first leg win at Olympique Lyonnais in midweek but were second best for much of the game at Elche.
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Playing their first home game back in the top-flight, the hosts took the lead after two minutes when a corner flashed across the area and Ferran Corominas stabbed the ball in at the back post.
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Sociedad were lucky not to concede again and struggled to get into the game until Elche's earlier efforts started to take their toll in the second half.
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A cross from the right found Vela unmarked in the area after 74 minutes and the Mexico forward scuffed a shot inside the far post.
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Former Arsenal striker Vela then curled a long-range effort against the crossbar near the end.
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Sociedad play their return match at home to Lyon this Wednesday.
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Espanyol made a strong start against Valencia and had already missed three gilt-edged chances to score when, against the run of play, the visitors took the lead in the 10th minute.