Deportivo thrash Real Sociedad in SPanish league

Deportivo de La Coruna stunned Real Sociedad 5-1 here to post their first victory in two months and escape the La Liga relegation zone - at least for the moment.

The Spanish top division football club's first five-goal performance in front of the Deportivo faithful at the Riazor Stadium since March 2009 left them with 13 points from 14 matches on Monday, good enough for 16th place.

Sociedad, who entered the contest on a run of four victories and a draw with mighty FC Barcelona, remained in sixth place with 23 points.

After defending a threat from Sociedad on a set-piece in the fourth minute, the hosts went on the attack.

Florin Andone was frustrated twice before Sidnei Rechel put Deportivo up 1-0 with a goal off a corner in the 13th minute.

The home side doubled their advantage in the 29th minute, when Real Sociedad defender Iñigo Martínez's poor attempt at a clearance ended up in the back of his own net.

With three minutes left in the first half, Andone connected on a cross from Juanfran to put Deportivo up 3-0.

Sociedad managed to claw one back with a thunderous shot from Yuri in the 56th minute, but Ryan Babel converted a penalty eight minutes later to restore the three-goal margin for Deportivo.

Andone made it 5-1 in the 77th minute with his second goal of the night.

--IANS

ajb/