Gareth Bale proved Real Madrid's matchwinner at Real Sociedad.

Bale was Real Madrid's hero for the second week running as the Wales international headed home the only goal in a 1-0 win at Real Sociedad late on to keep his side in the Primera Division title race.

The former Tottenham forward nodded in Lucas Vazquez's cross with 10 minutes remaining to decide a tense game at Anoeta against a Sociedad side who had beaten Barcelona earlier in the month.

Real coach Zinedine Zidane said, "We fought, we suffered, we worked until the end against a team that played really well and we've picked up three points again. I'm happy with the work.

"We have done the job, and that's the most important thing. The others have to play and the important thing for us was getting the points, because if we didn't get them today, La Liga would have become more difficult. Now we have to rest well and think about the game on Wednesday."

On Bale, he added: “I'm happy for him because he's had a lot of problems with injuries this year. When he's well he plays and when I see him score it makes me happy for him and for the team. He could have scored in the first half. Gareth has had a few problems this season. But he is able to play and cope just like Cristiano. He can play a lot of games. He's recovering really well physically. That fact he's scored in a game like today's is good going in to Wednesday."