Deportivo La Coruna 2-1 Athletic Bilbao - Valeron inspires Depor win

Posted Tuesday, May 10, 2011 by PA

Juan Carlos Valeron inspired Deportivo La Coruna to victory as the Galicians came from a goal down to beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 courtesy of two own goals that boost their hopes of Primera Division survival.

Deportivo, who started the day in the drop zone, suffered an early setback as Gaizka Toquero gave Athletic the lead after three minutes.

But led by Valeron, who rolled back the years with an outstanding playmaking performance, Depor fought back and claimed three vital points following own goals from Carlos Gurpegi and Xabier Castillo.

The hosts, who had been pegged back by an injury-time penalty at Sporting Gijon on Saturday, were buoyed by an expectant home crowd. But they got off to the worst possible start as Toquero beat Daniel Aranzubia with a low right-footed angled drive which nestled just inside the far post.

Depor refused to panic, though, and Valeron was influential as they sought an equaliser.

It came after 22 minutes, when Andres Guardado set up Adrian Lopez and the striker's shot was deflected into his own net by Gurpegi.

Fernando Llorente then headed against the crossbar at the other end, but Adrian hit the woodwork as well before the break.

The second half was an even affair and Depor's Riki almost scored at both ends.

However, the hosts snatched the points courtesy of a second own goal of the evening when Adrian tried to set up Riki after Valeron's sublime pass and Castillo could only turn the ball past his own keeper with 19 minutes left.