When you think back of how David Moyes was faring at Manchester United this time last year, then there could not be more of a contrast this time round.

Admittedly, his first few months in Spain have been tricky as he tries to turn an inconsistent Real Sociedad side around.

So he needed a big result to kickstart 2015. And it helps when you manage to take down the mighty Barcelona.

It was not pretty at times last night and Barca did start without Lionel Messi and Neymar, but Barcelona are still Barcelona.

Jordi Alba's early own goal set up a backs to the wall 90 minutes for La Real as they held on for a valiant 1-0 win.

Barca's misery will be alleviated slightly by the fact that Real Madrid's 22-game winning run came to an end at Valencia.

Argentinian defender Nicolas Otamendi applied the coup de grace for Los Che...