Athletic: Iraizoz; Iraola, Ekiza, Amorebieta
(Gurpegui 50'), De Marcos; San José, Ander Herrera; Susaeta, Muniain
(Llorente 58'), Ibai Gómez; Aduríz (Toquero 92'). 4-2-3-1.
Rayo: Rubén; Tito, Gálvez, Jordi Amat (Jordi
Figueras 46'), Casado; Javi Fuego, Trashorras; Lass, Chori Domínguez,
Piti (Adrián González 89'); Leo Baptistao (Delibasic 70').
4-2-3-1.
Goals:
0-1. 48. Lass. Pulled down long Trashorras pass and
fired shot under Iraizoz.
0-2. 65. Piti (penalty). After Gurpegui tripped
Chori Domínguez on edge of area.
1-2. 77. San José. Turned
shot past Rubén after Susaeta played ball into area.
Yellow cards: Gálvez 12', 88', De Marcos 14', Jordi Amat 32', Leo Baptistao 44', Casado 60', San José 61', Gurpegui 64', Ander Herrera 72', Chori Domínguez 75' / red cards: Gálvez 88'.
Rayo Vallecano moved up to sixth spot, level with Málaga and Betis on points pending the rest of the weekend's matches, after a 1-2 victory at Athletic Bilbao on Friday night. The locals were trying to end a run of two defeats in a row, and they had the better of the first half, with Rubén having to save from Aduríz, Susaeta shooting wide and Ibai heading against the woodwork. However just three minutes in to the second half Lass collected a long ball from Trashorras and ran on to beat Iraizoz, and soon afterwards the keeper had to be at his best to save from Leo Baptistao. By now Rayo were on top, although Pérez Montero gave them a helping hand as well when, at the behest of his linesman, the referee awarded them a penalty for a trip by Gurpegui on Piti a foot outside of the penalty area. Piti converted the spot kick himself, but a few minutes later San José got one back after Susaeta played the ball in to the area, and Llorente came close to equalising when he headed a free kick wide with five minutes to go. However even though Gálvez was sent off near the end for a second bookable offence, Rayo held on for a fourth win in a row, and with 31 points already in the bag at the mid-point of the season, they can start setting their sights a little higher than just staying up for another year.