Granada: Roberto; Nyom, Diakhaté,
Murillo, Brayan Angulo; Recio, Iturra; Pereira (Foulquier 69'), Buonanotte,
Brahimi (Dani Benítez 80', Fran Rico 85'); El-Arabi. 4-2-3-1.
Athletic: Iraizoz; Iraola, San José, Gurpegui,
Laporte; Beñat (De Marcos 59'), Mikel Rico; Susaeta, Ander Herrera, Ibai
Gómez (Muniain 52'); Aduríz (Toquero 71'). 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 53. El-Arabi (penalty). After Ander Herrera
fouled Murillo inside penalty area.
2-0. 61. El-Arabi. Stooped to head in
on far post after Diakhaté headed on corner.
Yellow cards: Iturra 58', Recio 80', Muniain 80'.
The extended weekend finished with Granada beating Athletic Bilbao 2-0 on Monday night to take the Andalusians five points clear of the drop zone. Lucas Alcaráz's side had not scored a single goal at home this season, but El-Arabi went close early on and Iraizoz had to be at his best to tip a shot from Buonanotte over the bar. Athletic needed a win though to overtake Villarreal for fourth spot, and they came back later in the first half, Ibai Gómez testing Roberto and Susaeta failing to convert a couple of chances either side of half time. A few minutes in to the second half however the locals were awarded a questionable penalty when Ander Herrera caught Murillo with his knee as both challenged for a high ball, and El-Arabi stepped up to convert the spot kick. And just eight minutes later El-Arabi got his second of the night with a header past Iraizoz after Diakhaté headed on a Buonanotte corner. That knocked the stuffing out of the Basque side, and El-Arabi and Buonanotte both came close to increasing the lead near the end.