Real Sociedad salvage draw at Getafe with controversial goal
Imanol Agirretxe's controversial second-half equalizer earned Real Sociedad a 1-1 draw from their trip to Getafe on Friday night.
Getafe looked set to continue their impressive home form when Pablo Sarabia struck at the start of the second half, but Agirretxe's leveller ensured the spoils were shared as Sociedad made it seven points in four games since Eusebio Sacristan replaced David Moyes as coach. The home side were furious Agirretxe's goal was allowed to stand, with Sociedad defender Diego Reyes clearly standing in an offside position in front of goal, but they can have few complaints about the end result with Vicente Guaita much the busier of the two goalkeepers.
Guaita was called into action as early as the sixth minute to save from Sergio Canales before the Getafe custodian did well to push behind Carlos Vela's deflected shot. Sociedad winger Bruma then spurned arguably the best chance of the first half, the Portugal Under-21 international curling just wide after racing from inside his own half.
Getafe, in reply, only threatened periodically in the opening period but they could have gone ahead in the 20th minute with Alvaro Vazquez failing to make the most of a one-on-one with Geronimo Rulli. Vazquez should have done much better with that, but Sarabia showed him how it should be done in the 46th minute to put Getafe ahead.
Juan Rodriguez swung over a right-wing cross to the near post where Sarabia got ahead of both his marker and Rulli to send a glancing header into the roof of the net. With Getafe only having lost once in their last six home matches - that against Barcelona - while also keeping four clean sheets, Sociedad fans might have feared the worst following that goal.
However, the San Sebastian side battled back and only a brilliant save from Guaita prevented Agirretxe from netting an immediate equaliser. Agirretxe was not to be denied in the 67th minute as Sociedad did draw level, although Getafe were incensed the goal was not ruled out. Reyes was comfortably beyond the last home defender on the edge of the six-yard box when his team-mate Jonathas headed the ball goalwards and, although Reyes moved aside to let the ball go past him for Agirretxe to finish at the far post, the Getafe players clearly felt he was interfering with play.
The goal stood, however, and Sociedad almost added salt to Getafe's wounds by snatching a winner through Jonathas, whose diving header was superbly saved by Guaita.
