Real Sociedad win to retain top spot in Spain

Real Sociedad beat Celta Vigo 1-0 on Saturday to yet again hold on to top spot in the Spanish championship as they continued to upstage more illustrious rivals.

A goal after 65 minutes by Spain's World Cup winger Francisco De Pedro was sufficient for the Basques to retain their unbeaten record this season and hold off the challenge of second-placed Real Madrid.

The European and world club champions, who play host to Atletico Madrid in the Spanish capital's local derby on Sunday, started off the weekend just one point adrift of Real Sociedad after six consecutive victories.

However Real Madrid will have to wait another week to see if the door to the leadership is left open to them by their championship rivals from San Sebastian.

Real Sociedad now have 40 points from 18 games with Real four points back but with a game in hand.

De Pedro's goal came after he unleashed a shot from just outside the area and the ball skimmed off the knees of Celta goalkeeper Pablo Cavallero and into the net.

It was an uncharacteristic and unfortunate error by the Argentine World Cup goalkeeper, widely regarded as one of the best in the Spanish first division, as he had been responsible for thwarting Real up to that point.

At the other end, Cavallero's opposite number Sander Westerveld performed heroics in keeping a clean sheet and keeping Celta out of the points.

He pulled off several short range saves, including a particularly impressive one from Gustavo Lopez as Celta counter-attacked in the wake of the De Pedro goal.

After 73 minutes, Westerveld also stopped a Catanha penalty after the Brazilian-born former Spanish international striker had been hacked down by Real's Gabi Schurrer.

Real Sociedad had the best of the first half and Darko Kovacevic went close several times but the Celta defence held firm until De Pedro's strike.

Celta have now lost their last three games and have not even managed a goal in the league this year, slipping out of contention for the title.