Atlético: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda,
Godín, Filipe Luis; Adrián (Raúl García 71'), Gabi,
Mario Suárez, Koke; David Villa (Cristian Rodríguez 83'), Diego
Costa. 4-4-2.
Athletic: Iraizoz; Iraola, Gurpegui, Laporte
(Albizua 68'), Balenziaga (Erik Morán 36'); Mikel Rico, San José,
Beñat (Susaeta 53'); De Marcos, Aduríz, Muniain. 4-3-3.
Goals:
1-0. 32. David Villa. Shot from Juanfran's cross
which went in off San José.
2-0. 40. Diego Costa. Ran on to Koke
pass and steered shot wide of Iraizoz.
Yellow cards: Miranda 05', Godín 22', Iraola 26', Muniain 43', Juanfran 59', Morán 63', 78', Diego Costa 73', Raúl García 75', / red cards: Morán 78'.
Atlético Madrid are not letting up this season, and a 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday afternoon keeps them within a point of leaders Barcelona. A win for the visitors would have seen them move up in to the top four, but it was one way traffic from start to finish, Iraizoz having to save twice from David Villa and Diego Costa shooting just wide before Villa opened the scoring with a volley which took a deflection off a defender. Shortly before half time Costa ran on to Koke's through ball to make it two, and after the break Iraizoz had to be at his best to keep out Filipe Luis, Villa and Costa. With twelve minutes to go the Basque team were left with ten men when Erik Morán picked up a second booking, and although Muniain finally managed a first shot at goal for them after that, Raúl García wasted a great chance to add to the scoreline in the closing minutes.