David Moyes’s spell at Real Sociedad set to come to an end

David Moyes

is on the verge of the sack from

Real Sociedad

as the Spanish club consider their options following a 2-0 defeat at second-bottom Las Palmas that left the side level on points with the final relegation place.

The former Manchester United manager was travelling back from the UK yesterday, where he had spent the weekend since the defeat on Friday night, and is expected to meet with the club’s president Jokin Aperribay upon his return, when he will be informed. Eusebio Sacristán is expected to replace him.

Moyes had offers to return to the Premier League in the summer but was determined to continue at Anoeta where his contract runs until the end of the season.

When Moyes took over last November, Real Sociedad were 16th, having won just twice in 11 games last season. Three days short of a year later, the team in is virtually the same position, the improvement of the second half of last season long forgotten. They finished last season 12th, on 46 points, but now they are 16th again and have won twice in 10 games.

Meanwhile a delightful flick and volley from Neymar helped him to complete a double as Barcelona beat Villarreal 3-0 yesterday to go three points clear at the top of La Liga.

The in-form Brazilian opened the scoring with a clinical finish having been set up by a pass from Sergio Busquets. Luis Suárez converted a penalty after 70 minutes and the two combined again, with Suárez finding Neymar, who lifted the ball round Costa and knocked it home after 85 minutes.

Real Madrid stumbled to a shock 3-2 defeat at Sevilla despite taking the lead through Sergio Ramos. Ciro Immobile, Ever Banega and Fernando Llorente made it 3-1 before James Rodriguez got one back in added time.

– Guardian service