Tuesday 22 September 2015 23:42, UK
Imanol Agirretxe scored a hat-trick as Real Sociedad recorded their first win of the season 3-0 at Granada on Tuesday evening.
The 28-year-old forward put the visitors ahead in the seventh minute when he got behind David Zurutuza's cross and struck the ball into the bottom right corner of the net, out of reach of Granada goalkeeper Andres Fernandez.
La Real, coached by former Everton and Manchester United boss David Moyes, doubled their lead in the 32nd minute.
A misplaced back pass from Granada's Brazilian defender Doria towards his goalkeeper was intercepted by Agirretxe, who struck from close range past a helpless Fernandez.
Granada had their only attempt on goal in the game in the 43rd minute, with Youssef El-Arabi's 30-yard effort saved by Real Sociedad goalkeeper Oier Olazabal.
The Basques, who had clinched just two points from their opening four games, continued to play well after the restart.
Sergio Canales should have made it 3-0 before the hour, but failed to beat Fernandez in a one on one.
Agirretxe squandered another chance for the visitors in the 62nd minute when a fast counterattack saw the striker play a one-two with Carlos Vela, only to see his close-range effort go wide.
However, Agirretxe made no mistake 11 minutes from time when he surged into the area and got past his marker, before drilling a right-footed shot past Fernandez to silence the crowd at the Los Carmenes stadium.
Sociedad have now clinched five points from five games, two points more than Granada.
Meanwhile, Antoine Griezmann continued his rampant goalscoring form by netting twice as Atletico Madrid beat Getafe 2-0 at the Vicente Calderon.
The Frenchman showed his striker's instinct to give the hosts the lead with just four minutes played and then finished off a pass from Jackson Martinez to strike again in the last minute of the second half.
The brace takes Griezmann's tally for the season to six goals from five matches, building on his match-winning double at Galatasaray in the Champions League.
Atleti had to wait an hour before breaking the deadlock at Eibar on Saturday, but got off to a dream start against their neighbours.
Getafe goalkeeper Vicente Guaita could only punch clear an early corner and Gabi sent the ball back into the danger zone, where Griezmann showed excellent movement and awareness to stay onside and trap the pass with his left foot, before striking into the net with his right.
Diego Simeone's side looked to build on their lead, but neither Yanick Ferreira Carrasco, Saul Niguez nor Fernando Torres could make the most of their chances.
Getafe's only attempt of the first half was an audacious effort from Angel Lafita from his own half, forcing goalkeeper Jan Oblak to react quickly.
The visitors' captain Pedro Leon squandered a much clearer chance in the second half, missing the target after his side broke quickly.
Saul, Angel Correa, Martinez and Griezmann all missed chances to put the game to bed, but Atletico finally sealed the points in the 90th minute.
Tiago chipped the ball into Martinez's path and the Colombian looked across to see his strike partner Griezmann free to his right, and the Frenchman did not waste the opportunity.
And finally, Valencia's dismal start to the season continued as they lost 1-0 at Espanyol, with Victor Alvarez scoring in the first half. They are eighth with six points after one win and three draws.
Low on confidence, they did not take advantage of early openings for Zakaria Bakkali and Rodrigo Moreno, before Alvarez tucked home a Marco Asensio cross after 18 minutes.
There was little rhythm to their game and in the second half they relied on 'keeper Jaume Domenech to make important blocks to deny Hernan Perez and Asensio.
"I have no doubts over my work nor that of the players," Valencia coach Nuno Espirito Santo told reporters after the game.
"In the first half we were the better side and looked dangerous, but then in the second half we didn't play well."
