La Real dominated every aspect of the game against their Catalan rivals, and had more ball possession but somehow the away side escaped with three points after a late header from Ronald Araujo in the 92nd minute. This is a great bouncy for the Catalan giants after losing the El Classico a week ago.
Imanol Alguacil's side put in what looked like the best team performance of the season but it was not to be. "If there is a way to lose, then I prefer it to be like this", said Oyarzabal at full-time, his face was as you would imagine it to be, with his bottom lip almost touching the floor.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen rightfully got the MVP award after saving a number of chances for the home side who pressed and pushed and delighted with twisting, uncontrollable movements that caused the stripes on Barcelona's shirts to fire off in all directions. The Barcelona shot stopper put up a worthy man of the match performance like he has been doing so far this season. He kept Barcelona in the game and prevented them from losing it. He deserves all praise.
Xavi threw the dice over and over again, changing players and tweaking the system in repeated attempts to neutralise the onslaught, but nothing worked.
Eventually, when the pressure stopped, with a few minutes to go and Real Sociedad couldn't run any more, Gundogan's lofted ball met Araujo who was just onside and his close-range header agonisingly crossed the line to give the defending champions a win that keeps them in the race for the top.
PLAYERS RATING
1. TER STEGEN 9.4/10
2. RONALD ARAUJO 8.8/10
3. JULES KOUNDE 7/10
4. INIGO MARTINEZ 7.7/10
5. BALDE 7/10
6. GUNDOGAN 7.8/10
7. GAVI 7/10
8. CANCELO 7/10
9. FERMIN LOPEZ 6.9/10
10. JOAO FELIX 6.9/10
11. LEWANDOWSKI 6.6/10
12. PEDRI 6.9/10
13. RAPHINHA 7/10
14. FERRAN TORRES 6.6/10
15. LAMINE YAMAL 6.8/10