Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil was delighted with their battling win at Alaves on Sunday.

Jon Pacheco struck the winner for the 1-0 triumph.

Imanol said: "I think that Alavés will have played very few games at home in which they have done less. I think we played a great game, and in the first half we only needed to have a little more drive, to finish more plays.

"It's a shame that, after having a good first half, the goal came from a set piece, which we worked on, especially through Mikel Labaka, because we have very good shooters and also very tactical players... A few weeks ago I said that it was not even possible that we had scored so few goals from set pieces and, coincidence or not, we have scored them in the last two matches.

"It is not normal that a team has to play 18 games, 14 away from home, with what that means, in the league, Champions League and Cup... No matter how good we are, no matter how good players it has, that hurts any team. Of course we haven't been so good playing every three days, but above all playing what kind of games... And, despite everything, I told you that we weren't that far from what we are now."

On Pacheco and Arsen Zakharyan, Imanol added: "Pacheco and Zakharyan have played a very good game. Still, since we haven't seen Pacheco for a while, he could have surprised you, but nothing to me. If he's not playing as much it's because he has two centre-backs in front of him who are on the national team."