After 11 successful seasons at Goodison Park, the 13/14 season was one to forget for David Moyes, after regularly being booed by the United faithful at the end of games at Old Trafford. Following his embarrassment at the Red Devils, it was important Moyes got his managerial career back on track and showed to the public and media why he was selected by Sir Alex Ferguson to manage United in the first place.
Since arriving in Sociedad in November, Moyes has moved the club up 5 places in the table, recording their first away win in La Liga of the season against Getafe on Monday night. They have also beaten last year’s Europa League winners Sevilla, 4-3 after a dramatic winner from midfielder Xabi Prieto. Moyes has taken himself out of the British media’s view, and focused on what he is good at.
The Scotsman has brought solidarity to a side who were in turmoil at the start of the season, sitting dangerously close to relegation spots after competing for Europe in their last few campaigns. Even though the side lost Mexican forward Carlos Vela early February to a knee injury, the team have won 3 out of their last four La Liga matches and now sit fairly safely in 10th, 8 points above the relegation zone.
The Monday night game was relatively even, both sides having chances and an even share of the possession which reflected their positions in the table. Getafe started the brighter, with forward Alvaro going through one on one but Geronimo Rulli pulled off a smart save to deny the home side.
Then attacking midfielder Pedro Leon hit the bar from a speculative effort outside the area. Rulli then made another good save down to his bottom left-hand corner after Leon again shot from outside the area after a poor clearance from the Sociedad defence. Another poor clearance led Getafe wing back Escudero to bomb down the left and produce a low cross into the six yard area where Alvaro could only put his shot straight at the keeper, just on the stroke of half time.
Sociedad started better in the second-half after having a number of shots at Getafe’s goal but not being able to test the keeper. Then centre-back Inigo Martinez headed in on 66 minutes from an Esteban Granero free-kick to give the Basque side the 1-0 win. Getafe had a late penalty claim but the referee gave nothing. Sociedad could count themselves a bit fortunate after the amount of clear-cut chances Getafe had.
After the first victory away from home and only 11 games left in the La Liga season, Moyes will be looking to build for next season’s campaign in Spain that is providing he stays. Stories are coming out of England that if Sam Allardyce leaves West Ham, Moyes is number one on their list to replace him.
Moyes will want to return to England to prove people wrong but it is important for him to build up this Sociedad side and potentially have a run at the European places. He has done well so far but nothing spectacular, so maybe with his own stamp on the side they can improve in the 15/16 campaign.
