Real Sociedad ended their eight-match winless away run in LaLiga with a dramatic 3-2 victory over struggling Elche, with Job Ochieng starring with a goal and two assists as La Real survived a frantic second-half fightback.
The result extended Sociedad’s dominance in this fixture, with Elche still without a head-to-head victory since April 2015, having drawn once and lost eight times since.
Sociedad wasted little time asserting themselves, taking the lead after just 11 minutes. Their first corner was only partially cleared, allowing Carlos Soler to cushion the ball back into the area, where Ochieng unleashed a powerful right-footed strike into the roof of the net for his first goal for the club.
Luka Sučić then tested Elche goalkeeper Matías Dituro from distance, but the hosts gradually found their footing. Facundo Buonanotte forced Unai Marrero into a save with a long-range effort before Ezequiel Ponce fired over from a promising position.
Sociedad doubled their advantage in the 31st minute after capitalising on another Elche defensive mistake. Captain Pedro Bigas lost possession under pressure from Ochieng, who raced down the right before teeing up Yangel Herrera. His first-time effort lacked power but somehow slipped underneath Dituro and into the bottom corner.
La Real nearly added a third before half-time when Gonçalo Guedes broke through the Elche defence, but Dituro stood firm to deny the former Wolves forward.
The match exploded into life after the interval during a chaotic five-minute spell.
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Sociedad appeared to have extended their lead when Sučić found the net, only for the goal to be overturned following a VAR review. Worse followed for the visitors as substitute Jon Martin was shown a red card for a handball that denied Elche striker Abiel Osorio a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Elche immediately capitalised on their numerical advantage. Debutant Thomas Lemar, making his first appearance on loan from Atletico Madrid, reduced the deficit with a composed right-footed strike from 20 yards.
The hosts continued to press and completed the comeback with just over 15 minutes remaining. Tete Morente delivered a dangerous volleyed cross into the six-yard box, where Fer Niño reacted quickest to chest the ball over the line.
Elche appeared increasingly likely to complete the turnaround, with Niño and Lucas Cepeda forcing saves from Marrero before Osorio narrowly missed with a left-foot volley.
But despite playing with 10 men, Sociedad produced a stunning late response.
In the 90th minute, Sučić finally got his reward, driving into the Elche penalty area before unleashing an unstoppable left-footed shot into the bottom corner to restore the visitors’ lead.
Elche were handed one final opportunity in stoppage time when Niño rose to meet a close-range header, but Marrero produced a superb point-blank save to preserve all three points for Sociedad.
The victory extends Sociedad’s unbeaten run to three matches ahead of Sunday’s home clash with Atletico Madrid.
Elche, meanwhile, remain winless this season and will travel to Athletic Club on Saturday, still searching for their first victory. The hosts have also conceded first in every match so far this campaign.
