Lius Suarez congratulates David Moyes

                      
Luis Suarez congratulated David Moyes, a former
rival of the Liverpool striker with both Everton and
Manchester United

David Moyes's Real Sociedad stopped Barcelona
going top of La Liga thanks to an early own goal
from Jordi Alba.

Real Madrid's 2-1 defeat at Valencia earlier in the
day would have allowed the Catalans to edge
ahead in the title race if they had won.

But coach Luis Enrique started with Lionel Messi,
Neymar and Dani Alves on the bench following
the festive break.

And they were unable to inspire a fightback as
Moyes secured a memorable second win as
Sociedad manager.

Messi, Neymar and Alves only returned to training
last Friday after an extended break in South
America during the league's Christmas shutdown.
Enrique took the gamble of starting without them
for a fixture that has proved tricky for Barcelona in
the past.

And so it proved again with their winless run at
Anoeta now extended to six games.

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique started with a
number of his big names on the bench
In Moyes's previous two home La Liga games,
former Arsenal striker Carlos Vela had struck in
the opening five minutes.

And while there was to be no repeat for Vela,
Sociedad were still ahead after just two minutes
as Alba headed a cross from Sergio Canales past
his own keeper.

For a team which had already beaten Real Madrid
and defending champions Atletico Madrid in San
Sebastian this season, it was the perfect start.

Sociedad have been difficult to beat under Moyes,
with just two losses in their previous seven
matches since the former Manchester United and
Everton boss took over in November,
and they clung tenaciously to their lead.
They were helped by an insipid first-half
performance from Barcelona, who rarely
threatened an equaliser.

Sociedad went closest to a second goal when
Canales turned sharply and tested former
Socieded keeper Claudio Bravo at his near post.
Not surprisingly, Enrique sent on Messi at the
start of the second half and waited just a further
12 minutes to introduce Neymar to try and spark
an improvement.

Barcelona increasingly dominated possession and
began to camp around the Sociedad penalty area.
But with a wall of blue and white shirts to pass,
they could not turn their pressure into any
meaningful chances.

Sociedad defended superbly with goalkeeper
Geronimo Rulli making his one real save four
minutes from time when dashing out to save at
the feet of Luis Suarez as Moyes's side held on
to move up to 13th in the table - five points
above the drop zone.

Barcelona's next La Liga game is against
champions Atletico Madrid next Sunday.

Real Sociedad secured their second and most
important win under David Moyes
Lionel Messi came off the bench at the start of
the second half but was unable to add to his 23
goals this season
Moyes inspired his side to a magnificent defensive
performance
Barcelona failed to win a trophy last season and
missed out on top spot in La Liga.