Athletic Bilbao 3 : 0 Sporting de Gijon - Easy for Bilbao

Posted Saturday, February 05, 2011 by PA

Athletic Bilbao climbed to fifth place in the Primera Division thanks to a comprehensive 3-0 win at home to 10-man Sporting Gijon.

Both sides entered the game on the back of three successive victories and this clash looked set to be a fiercely-disputed northern derby, but the game was shaped by the 15th-minute dismissal of Sporting defender Gregory Arnolin.

The centre-back, already booked for handball after eight minutes, was shown a second yellow for hauling down Fernando Llorente in the area.

David Lopez stepped up to convert from the spot and give the home side the lead.

Now a goal up and a man up, Athletic's dominance was total and Llorente missed a good chance to make it 2-0 after 22 minutes.

The Spain striker, subject of a big-money bid from Liverpool in the recent transfer window, was a constant threat to the Sporting rearguard, but it was his strike partner - Gaizka Toquero - who scored the Basques' second goal after 26 minutes.

Toquero, who bagged a brace in last weekend's 2-0 win at Atletico Madrid, hit home after good work from Iker Muniain to give Sporting an unenviable task.

And the visitors never looked likely to come back into the game, although David Barral did come close just before half-time.

Athletic continued to look the more dangerous side, though, and Llorente wrapped up a deserved victory 17 minutes from time.

The in-form striker, who also hit the post with a header in the first half, slotted home from close range following a Markel Susaeta pass.

Athletic therefore secured a fourth straight league win and the Basques move above Espanyol, who lost 3-2 at Almeria, to fifth place after 22 matches.