Granada grind out point

Odion Ighalo's goal secured a crucial point for relegation-battling Granada as they drew 1-1 away to Real Sociedad.

Odion Ighalo's stoppage-time goal secured a potentially crucial point for relegation-battling Granada as they drew 1-1 away to Real Sociedad in a game which finished 10-a-side. Granada coach Lucas Alcaraz had suggested prior to the match that Sociedad had nothing to play for after seeing their Champions Leagues hopes ended, but the hosts had found enough motivation to lead through Carlos Vela's 78th-minute goal as the clock ticked down. But three minutes into time added on Ighalo finished from close range to earn a point which puts Granada three clear of trouble. Whatever Sociedad's state of mind after learning they could do no better than the Europa League, they began the game with plenty of attacking intent, with Haris Seferovic going close before Sergio Canales' free-kick came back off the post. The chances kept piling up for the hosts as Antoine Griezmann tested goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis before Vela brought a much better save from him in the 19th minute with a powerful effort from outside the penalty area. Granada were limited to just a couple of sights of goal in the opening half an hour but did nothing to test keeper Claudio Bravo until the 40th minute, when he comfortably held a shot from Manuel Iturra. Things got worse for Granada nine minutes into the second half when Jose Recio saw a second yellow card, but their numerical advantage last just a few minutes before Mikel Gonzalez felled Iturra and received a straight red. Griezmann saw a header cleared off the line before Canales fired wide, but Piti was the man with his head in his hands in the 73rd minute when his shot came back off the post. Sociedad punished the miss five minutes later as Vela fired in what looked like being the winner. Granada produced little in response until Ighalo came up with a goal which could yet go a long way to keeping them in the top flight next season.