Barcelona 2-1 Real Sociedad: Goals from Jules Kounde and Robert Lewandowski enough to claim three points for the champions
The chief talking point before the game was whether Barcelona would capitalise on Real Madrid’s slip in the Madrid derby on Saturday and climb to the top of the table.
It looked in doubt at times against a spirited Real Sociedad side, but Hansi Flick’s champions held firm through the final stages to secure a sixth win from seven league matches and claim the top spot in La Liga.
Alvaro Odriozola gave Sociedad the lead on the half-hour mark, sliding in to finish Ander Barrenetxea’s cross after a quick counter-attack. The goal came against the run of play, with Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski both going close for Barcelona in the opening stages.
But Barcelona were able to equalise just before half-time, after Rashford swung in a corner that Jules Kounde met practically unmarked.
In the second half, the La Liga champions piled on further pressure. Lamine Yamal was introduced just before the hour, making his return after missing four games for La Blaugrana through a groin injury sustained on international duty.
It only took seconds for the teenager to make an impact. He picked the ball up on the right, dropped his shoulder and galloped toward the byline, before delivering a measured cross that Lewandowski guided past Alex Remiro with a header.
Sociedad pushed for a late equaliser and almost found one when Takefusa Kubo had time and space at the edge of the box to strike at the Barcelona goal, but his shot crashed against the bar. Almost immediately at the other end Barcelona repeated the action, Lewandowski slamming the ball against the crossbar when most would have backed him to score.
