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Asier Illarramendi nets first Sociedad goal in draw with Espanyol

Asier Illarramendi scored his first-ever goal for Real Sociedad at the Anoeta before being dismissed in a 1-1 draw with Espanyol.

Quique Sanchez Flores' Espanyol were on course for their first away win of the season, which would have moved them into the top half of La Liga, when Leo Baptistao headed them ahead inside nine minutes.

Yet La Real claimed a share of the spoils as Spain international Illarramendi, whose last goal at the Anoeta came as a visiting Real Madrid player in 2014, equalised in the 69th minute before two yellow cards late on saw him sent off.

The visitors went ahead through Baptistao, who found Jose Manuel Jurado with a pass before getting on the end of the return cross to flick a header beyond Geronimo Rulli.

Former Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj was instrumental in Sociedad's equaliser as he beat two men and pulled back for Illarramendi to net a rare goal, with his evening soured slightly by the two late cautions.

Girona recorded their first-ever away win in the Spanish top flight as a 2-1 success over Deportivo La Coruna moved them three points clear of the relegation zone.

Aday Benitez broke the deadlock for the visitors with a penalty midway through the first half and it was at that end where Lucas Perez also converted from 12 yards to level six minutes after the interval.

However, Cristian Portu's winner 19 minutes from time saw Girona leapfrog Depor and move up to 15th in the standings.

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