Sociedad hit five, Sevilla hold Bilbao

Real Sociedad bounced back from their Champions League exit with a resounding 5-1 win over bottom side Real Betis in La Liga and Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw on Sunday.

Bilbao, fresh from beating leaders Barcelona last time out, were looking to consolidate fourth place but conceded an early goal from Alberto Moreno, who finished well from the edge of the area after four minutes.

Athletic were level moments later when Gaizka Toquero picked up a short back-pass from Federico Fazio and crossed for Markel Susaeta to prod the ball home from close range.

It was a game played at a high tempo and with plenty of goalmouth action, and Sevilla had keeper Beto to thank when he saved a penalty at the end of the first half.

Carlos Bacca handled the ball in the area but Beto guessed right with Susaeta's spot-kick.

Bilbao stayed fourth on 30 points and Sevilla, who came into the game on the back of three league wins, climbed to seventh on 23.

Sociedad lie sixth with 26 points after their win and Betis are two points adrift at the foot of the table with 10 points.

The Basque side struggled with the demands of Europe's top competition, picking up just one point from their group, but they put the disappointment behind them with their third successive league win.

Imanol Agirretxe scored the first of his two goals early on for the hosts before Jorge Molina equalised after 19 minutes.

Ion Ansotegi headed Sociedad back in front soon after the break, while Betis's misery was further compounded through further second half goals by Antoine Griezmann, Agirretxe and Xabi Prieto.

Later on Sunday Atletico Madrid will look to maintain their 100 per cent home record and rejoin Barcelona at the top the of the table on 43 points when they take on Valencia.

Neymar scored twice for Barcelona in a 2-1 win over Villarreal on Saturday as they continued to set the pace but Real Madrid lost ground following a 2-2 draw at Osasuna