Betis: Fabricio; Nelson, Paulao, Dorado, Nacho;
Salva Sevilla (Pozuela 68'), Iriney, Beñat, Jefferson Montero (Jonathan
Pereira 55'); Jorge Molina (Santa Cruz 74'), Rubén Castro. 4-4-2.
Athletic: Iraizoz; Iraola, Javi Martínez,
Amorebieta, Aurtenetxe (Toquero 91'); Iñigo Pérez (San
José 46'), Iturraspe; Susaeta, Muniain (Ekiza 68'), De Marcos; Llorente.
4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 10. Rubén Castro. Curled shot past
Iraizoz after Molina pass deflected over.
1-1. 22. Javi Martínez.
Steered header wide of Fabricio from Susaeta's corner.
2-1. 91. Nelson.
Drilled low shot past keeper after corner came back out to him.
Yellow cards: Javi Martínez 28', 64', Iriney 46', Aurtenetxe 48', Molina 48', Beñat 59', / red cards: Javi Martínez 64'.
Athletic Bilbao drop down to eighth in the table pending Sunday's games after they lost 2-1 at Betis in the last match on Saturday, albeit that they are still only two points off fourth place. Athletic booked their place in the Copa del Rey final midweek, but they paid the price of a good cup run, Rubén Castro putting the Andalusians ahead in the tenth minute after Montero and Molina combined to set him up. Javi Martínez headed the equaliser from Susaeta's corner, and Muniain brought a good save out of Fabricio, who was making his first appearance in the Betis goal. But Montero fired a long shot wide at the other end, and then hit the bar after a quick passing move with Molina just before the interval. After the restart it was Rubén Castro's turn to hit the bar, Salva Sevilla's follow up header ruled offside, and Fabricio was in action again to keep out a header from Llorente. Athletic were left with ten men though when Javi Martínez picked up a second booking, and with the game in injury time Nelson (playing his first game of the season after a long injury lay-off) drilled home the winner after Beñat's corner came back out to him.