Celta Vigo 1 : 2 Athletic Bilbao - Athletic hold on to sink Celta

Mikel San Jose scored and got sent off as Athletic Bilbao claimed a 2-1 win at Celta Vigo in the Primera Division on Saturday night.

San Jose put the visitors two up in the 32nd minute, adding to Aritz Aduriz's penalty, before picking up a second yellow card five minutes from time.

Celta had already halved the deficit by then thanks to Joaquin Larrivey's close-range header midway through the second half, but they could not capitalise on their numerical advantage late on.

Both sides are free from relegation fears but have no realistic hope of pushing for European qualification.

It was Athletic who started the brighter and they went ahead in the 17th minute, Aduriz firing his spot-kick low into the left corner following a foul by Augusto Fernandez.

The striker played a key role as the away side doubled their lead.

His header from Benat's right-wing corner thumped against the bar and San Jose, following up, knocked home the rebound from inside the six-yard box.

Celta gave themselves hope by pulling one back in the 62nd minute.

Fabian Orellana dinked in a teasing cross from the left with his right foot and Larrivey attacked it as the defence hesitated, his header leaving Gorka Iraizoz in the Athletic goal with no chance.

The hosts received another boost when San Jose received his marching orders in the 85th minute, but Athletic held out to claim all three points.