Espanyol 3 - Athletic Bilbao 2

Espanyol: Kameni; Zabaleta, Jarque, Torrejón, Chica; Rufete (Corominas 77'), Moisés Hurtado, De la Peña, Riera; Luis García (Pandiani 83'), Tamudo. 4-4-2.
Athletic: Lafuente; Murillo, Ustaritz, Sarriegui, Expósito; Yeste (Iturriaga 90'), Orbaiz, Javi Martínez, Gabilondo; Aduriz (Llorente 85'), Urzaiz (Etxeberría 17'). 4-4-2.

Team changes: Espanyol: No change / Athletic: No change.

Goals:
0-1. 47. Yeste (penalty). After Jarque pulled down Aduriz in penalty area.
1-1. 53. Tamudo. Controlled Rufete cross and fired shot past Lafuente.
2-1. 60. Tamudo. Header inside far post from Moisés Hurtado cross.
2-2. 66. Aduriz. Scored from close up after Kameni pushed out Gabilondo cross.
3-2. 94. Pandiani. Got above markers to head Riera cross wide of keeper.

A last minute headed goal by Pandiani gave Espanyol a 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao, ending their run of six draws in a row. The locals had the better of the first half, Riera and Tamudo going close and Luis García having a penalty appeal turned down by referee Fernández Borbolán after Murillo brought him down just before the break.

Two minutes after the restart though Fernández did award a penalty to the visitors at the other end after Jarque pulled down Aduriz, Yeste slotting home the kick. But two goals from Tamudo turned the scoreline around, the first after controlling a long cross from Rufete before firing a shot past Lafuente, and the second with a guided header from a centre by Hurtado.

It looked as if the points would be shared once again though before Pandiani struck to give Valverde an important win over his old team. Another blow for Athletic, who are only outside of the relegation spots thanks to a better goal difference than Osasuna.