Chidera Ejuke Scores the Winner as Sevilla Beat Real Sociedad 1-0

Nigeria Super Eagles forward Chidera Ejuke was the hero for Sevilla CF, scoring the match winner in their 0-1 win over Real Sociedad on Sunday night.

Sevilla extended their unbeaten run in La Liga away games to five matches, securing a 1-0 victory over a much-changed Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena. The win saw Sevilla leapfrog Sociedad into 10th place in the table, their first time achieving this feat since May 2023.

Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil made several changes to his starting lineup, with only Nayef Aguerd, Igor Zubeldia, and Beñat Turrientes retaining their spots after the 1-1 draw against Manchester United in the Europa League on Thursday.

The first chance of the match fell to the home side just after 15 minutes. Sergio Gómez’s corner was headed wide by Zubeldia, and soon after, Aguerd’s header from another Gómez cross lacked the power to trouble Sevilla goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.

Sevilla then had their own scare when right-back Jose Angel Carmona passed the ball straight to Orri Oskarsson. The striker held off Djibril Sow but blasted his shot wide of the goal.

Sevilla responded strongly and almost found the opening goal before the break. Adrià Pedrosa’s strike was parried by Sociedad goalkeeper Unai Marrero to Isaac Romero, but the Sevilla forward misfired his follow-up, leaving the score at 0-0 at halftime.

The breakthrough came early in the second half, just after the restart. Sevilla’s captain, Saul, dispossessed Aguerd and played a quick pass to Isaac Romero. Romero then fed Chidera Ejuke, who skillfully curled the ball past Marrero into the bottom left-hand corner to give Sevilla a 1-0 lead on 47 minutes.

Sociedad, now behind, made four substitutions just after the hour mark, but they struggled to find their rhythm with so many changes. Sevilla nearly doubled their advantage when Dodi Lukebakio set up Romero, but his shot agonisingly hit the post.

As the game wore on, Sociedad continued to struggle in attack, despite Gómez moving to the right flank. There was a moment of frustration for Sevilla when a header from Saul accidentally struck substitute Albert Sambi Lokonga, but the result was never in doubt.

Sevilla held on for the win, their 9th of the season, with the victory marking a solid step forward as they prepare to host Athletic Club next Sunday. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, are struggling in attack and have scored fewer goals than all teams in the division, except for bottom club Real Valladolid.