Athletic Bilbao 2 - Espanyol 1

Athletic: Aranzubia; Expósito, Luis Prieto, Sarriegui, Amorebieta (Yeste 65'); Iraola, Murillo; Garmendia (Urzaiz 46'), Etxeberría, Gabilondo (Iturriaga 71'); Aduríz. 4-2-3-1.
Espanyol: Kameni; Velasco, Lacruz, Jarque, David García (Torrejón 63'); Edu Costa, Jonatas; Rufete (De la Peña 81'), Corominas, Moha; Pandiani (Luis García 72'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Athletic: Amorebieta, Murillo, Garmendia for Casas, Ustaritz, Javi Martínez / Espanyol: Jarque, Rufete for Torrejón, Ito.

Goals:
0-1. 04. Jonatas. Caught Aranzubia off his line with shot from inside centre circle.
1-1. 62. Urzaiz. Steered header inside near post from Iraola's wide free kick.
2-1. 78. Urzaiz. Got on the end of Yeste free kick to head ball wide of Kameni.

Athletic Bilbao moved further away from the drop zone after coming from behind to beat a depleted Espanyol 2-1. Valverde made no less than nine changes from the side which drew at Benfica in their Thursday night UEFA cup tie, but the visitors went ahead in the fourth minute when Jonatas surprised Aranzubia with a shot from the halfway line. The keeper was probably at fault for being out of position, but he made up for his mistake with a couple of good saves from Pandiani. The locals could have equalised before the break though, Aduriz firing a spectacular volley against the crossbar and Garmendia shooting over the top.

Mané brought on Urzaiz at the break to join Aduríz, and the veteran striker had a penalty claim turned down almost immediately. And with just over an hour gone he got on the end of Iraola's wide free kick to steer a header inside Kameni's near post. Aranzubia saved from Corominas at the other end soon afterwards, but Urzaiz popped up again to head a long Yeste free kick on past the keeper to put his side in front. Aranzubia still had to be on his toes to keep out a late Jarque header from De la Peña's free kick, but the final whistle went a couple of minutes later and Athletic had the win which keeps them three points clear of the relegation spots.