Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 9y

David Moyes expecting better from Real Sociedad despite first win

New Real Sociedad coach David Moyes said he was pleased with the result but not the performance after his side beat Elche 3-0 in his first home La Liga game with the club.

La Real attacker Carlos Vela was the match-winner with three well-taken goals at important moments during the game and, although Elche dominated possession at times, the final whistle brought a second clean sheet in two games in charge for the new Txuri-urdin chief.

The former Everton and Manchester United boss said in the Anoeta media room after the game that he was delighted to have won the game, but there were definitely things about the team's display which he had not been so happy about.

"I am smiling because we have won," Moyes said. "I am very pleased with the result, very pleased with no goals, not too pleased with the performance. Thought we made too many mistakes tonight, and I expect a much better standard from players. We gave the ball away too much, especially in the first half. But we had a special player, a special talent in Carlos Vela, which made the difference. That helped the team greatly tonight."

Vela's three goals -- a flashing header, calm finish on the break and poacher's effort from inside the area -- showed the value of having a special talent in the team said Moyes, who was also keen to praise the Mexico international's exemplary work for the team.

"Most important thing is the team -- more than any player," he said. "But I have to say tonight Carlos Vela made a big difference. You need special players, special talent and he is one. But I am interested in the team, and his hard-work pleased me as much as his goals. But obviously they made the difference."

The Scot was less happy with the performance of referee Carlos Velasco Carballo, who booked three home players inside the first half-hour.

"I think this is a game for me, a physical contact sport," Moyes said. "Nobody wants to come and see soft free kicks. People want to see strong people, staying on their feet, the ref allowing challenges to go. I thought his tolerance was level too low, although the ref [in last week's goalless draw] at Deportivo was very good, better than tonight."

La Real's next game is Thursday's Copa del Rey last 32 first leg at third-tier Real Oviedo, which might give Moyes a chance to look at some more of his squad. Moyes suggested he would make some changes, while maintaining that winning any trophy was always a priority.

"I'd love to win the cup, that is what I would really like to do," he said. "But the first priority is to avoid relegation. Once we are mathematically safe we can see what we can do. But every competition I enter I want to win. I want to see the team winning, to build confidence. Ideally I would like to see some other players as well, but not too many."

Moyes said he had enjoyed the atmosphere in his first home game at Anoeta, however he hoped to build a side which would see the stadium packed out each fortnight.

"I thought the crowd were very good in second half," he said. "But I want to give them a team, so there are no empty seats in stadium. I want to have a team where you cannot get in as the tickets are sold out. I have to give the supporters, and the city, a team which will do that. I do not have that yet, but will work to get that to happen."

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