Real Sociedad beat Atletico to move near the leaders in Spain

Real Sociedad became the latest team to join the tight title race in Spain.

Taking advantage of two second-half penalty kicks, Real Sociedad defeated Atletico Madrid 2-0 yesterday so that six teams are separated by only five points atop La Liga.

Forward Carlos Vela converted a 54th-minute penalty and striker Willian Jose scored from the spot in the 75th to give Real Sociedad its fourth win in five matches, and the fourth consecutive win at home.

Leader Real Madrid hosts Leganes today, and secondplace Barcelona plays at fourthplace Sevilla.

It was the second loss in three league games for Atletico, which had been held scoreless only twice before Saturday's game.

Atletico had the league lead until a 1-0 loss at Sevilla two rounds ago, a result that dropped Diego Simone's team to fifth place. It rebounded with a 4-2 over Malaga in the last round, but missed a chance to join Madrid atop the standings after its loss on Saturday.

Forward Kevin Gameiro had an opportunity to give Atletico a 1-0 lead in the first half but his shot from inside the area struck the post in pouring rain in the northern city of San Sebastian.

"We had a great first half and created good scoring chances, especially the one with Gameiro," Simeone said, "but in the second half they started better and we couldn't find a way to even the match."

GRANADA 1, DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA 1

Last-place Granada remained the only winless team after this home draw.

Granada equalized nine minutes from time thanks to an own goal by Deportivo goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton.

Granada goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa made a brilliant save on a close-range shot near the end to keep the hosts from losing for the eighth time in 11 games.