Fast-rising Nigeria winger Samuel Chukwueze was paraded for 82 minutes as Villarreal beat Real Sociedad 1-0 at Anoeta on Thursday night.
Substitute Gerard Moreno was the hero of the night as he headed home a 85th minute winner to steal the points for the Yellow Submarine.
The result sees Javier Calleja’s men climb into 14th and onto 39 points, five points clear of Girona in 18th.
Chukwueze has scored eight goals and provided three assists this season for Villarreal.
Meanwhile, former Standard Liege midfielder Uche Agbo was on the pitch for all 90 minutes as Sevilla thrashed Rayo Vallecano 5-0.
Munir El Haddadi continued his impressive run of form with a brace, making his January transfer from Barcelona look like an even better move for Sevilla.
The match was Agbo’s first start for Rayo since recovering from illness.