Copa del Rey round-up: David Moyes sees red in Sociedad Cup exit

Villarreal players celebrate after Gerard Moreno scored the opening goal against Real Sociedad on January 14, 2015. Gorka Estrada / EPA

David Moyes was sent to the stands as his hopes of a trophy in his first season in charge of Real Sociedad ended with a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Villarreal in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.

Trailing 1-0 from last week’s first leg, Moyes’s men’s uphill task became even tougher when Giovani dos Santos teed up Gerard Moreno to fire home the opener on 26 minutes.

Carlos Vela gave the hosts hope just before half-time when he bundled in the rebound from close range after Sergio Asenjo had saved Imanol Agirretxe’s headed effort.

However, former Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur forward Dos Santos put the tie beyond any doubt when he put Villarreal back in front 17 minutes from time.

Esteban Granero replied moments later to ensure Moyes remains unbeaten at Anoeta in five games since taking charge, but his frustration soon bubbled over as he was sent to the stands for taking his protests towards one of the referee’s assistants too far.

Villarreal ended with 10 men when Mateo Musacchio saw a second yellow card for a foul on Agirretxe, but there was to be no heroic fightback from Sociedad in the final few minutes.

Next up for Marcelino’s men in the last eight will be Getafe as Alvaro Vazquez’s solitary goal was enough to hand them a 2-1 aggregate win over Almeria.

Sevilla set-up a quarter-final meeting with Espanyol thanks to a comfortable 4-0 win over Granada to progress 6-1 on aggregate.

Athletic Bilbao also squeezed into the quarter-finals on away goals despite being beaten 2-0 at home by Celta Vigo where they’ll meet Malaga.

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