Zaragoza 2 : 1 Athletic Bilbao - Comeback gives Zaragoza points

Real Zaragoza came from behind to secure a vital 2-1 win at home to Athletic Bilbao in the Primera Division and move out of the bottom three with 12 rounds of the championship remaining.

Spain striker Fernando Llorente gave Athletic the lead early on, but the home side hit back through Jiri Jarosik three minutes into the second half, and Ikechukwu Uche completed the turnaround shortly afterwards to seal three precious points for Javier Aguirre's troubled team.

Zaragoza have improved under Aguirre, but the Aragonese outfit found themselves back in the bottom three after their goalless draw at Sporting Gijon at the weekend.

Aguirre had said his side had been playing well, despite recent results, but that looked anything but the truth as this match got underway.

Markel Susaeta's angled drive was an early warning for the home side, rebounding off the post after six minutes.

But the locals failed to heed it and found themselves behind after 18 minutes.

Llorente got behind a stagnant Jarosik and with keeper Toni Doblas left stranded on his line, the Spain striker was given time and space to fire home and give Athletic the lead.

It was a poor goal from the home side's point of view, but they did dominate the rest of the first period, albeit without ever looking like levelling the scores.

That changed in the second half, though.

Zaragoza came out brightly and equalised within three minutes, when Jarosik pounced on a loose ball in the area to finish from close range.

And seven minutes later, the comeback was complete for the home side as Uche - recently returned following months on the sidelines - beat Gorka Iraizoz with a cool finish to make it 2-1.

Chances were few and far between after that, but Zaragoza keeper Toni Doblas made a fine save to deny Llorente late on and ensure a valuable victory for Aguirre's side.

Zaragoza move two points clear of the drop zone, while Athletic stay in sixth, but are now level with seventh-placed Sevilla.