Athletic Bilbao 2 - Real Murcia 1

Athletic: Lafuente; Javi González (Arriaga 68'), Luis Prieto, Karanka, Del Horno; Gurpegui, Orbaiz; Etxeberría, Yeste (Julen Guerrero 88'), Ezquerro (Lacruz 56'); Urzaiz. 4-2-3-1.
Real Murcia: Bonano; Juanma, Cuadrado, Hurtado, Clavero; Acciari, Jensen; Gancedo (David Karanka 72'), Richi (Pedro Largo 83'), Luis García; Esnaider (Michel 63'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Athletic: Lafuente for Aranzubia / Murcia: No change.

Goals:
1-0. 12. Urzaiz. Header inside near post from Yeste's right sided free kick.
1-1. 14. Luis García. Forced ball past Lafuente after Juanma passed across area.
2-1. 45. Yeste (penalty). After Jensen sent off for stopping ball on line with hand.

Athletic Bilbao spent an hour and a half in fourth place and ended the weekend in fifth after beating bottom club Real Murcia 2-1. Urzaiz started things off with a headed goal from Yeste's free kick in the twelfth minute, but John Toshack's side came back with an equaliser three minutes later, Luis García finishing off after Karanka and Gurpegui both failed to cut out a cross from Juanma.

The Basques restored the lead though from the penalty spot just before the interval after Jensen stopped an effort from Urzaiz with his hand on the line, Yeste converting the kick after the Danish midfielder was given his marching orders for the third time this season.

The second half was a one-sided affair, with the home team bearing down continuously on Bonano's goal. But they could not add to their lead despite the best efforts of Etxeberría, Urzaiz and Javi González, and although the visitors never really tested Lafuente (replacement for the suspended Aranzubia), the fans were relieved when the final whistle went. Athletic have now won their last three games, and seem to be back to their early season form.