Athletic Bilbao 4 - 1 Deportivo La Coruna: Aritz Aduriz hits 30-goal mark with hat-trick against Deportivo

Aritz Aduriz scored a hat-trick to take his tally for the season to 30 as Athletic Bilbao cruised to back-to-back league wins by beating Deportivo La Coruna 4-1.

Iker Muniain gave Bilbao an early lead and veteran Spanish striker Aduriz struck before the break and twice in the second period after Oriel Riera had given Deportivo brief hope when making it 2-1 in the 51st minute.

Bilbao threatened as early as the third minute through Aduriz, whose low shot was well saved in the bottom corner by Deportivo goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa and at the other end Gorka Iraizoz held visiting midfielder Faycal Fajr's angled effort shortly afterwards.

But Bilbao took an 11th-minute lead when forward Muniain converted his second goal of the season from close range following Raul Garcia's knock-down.

Aduriz went close to heading Bilbao's second in the 33rd minute but made no mistake three minutes later, crashing the ball home from six yards after being set up by midfielder Markel Susaeta.

Deportivo hauled themselves back in it six minutes into the second half when striker Riera turned home Lucas Perez's cross from close range.

But two minutes later Bilbao regained their two-goal advantage, Aduriz heading home Susaeta's fine ball into the box.

Aduriz completed his hat-trick on the hour-mark and put the game beyond Deportivo when he arrowed home a low drive from inside the area.

Bilbao defender Xabier Etxeita went close to adding a fifth when he headed just over with 10 minutes remaining, while Fajr's long-range effort in stoppage time was well saved by Iraizoz.