athletic bilbao - online sports 

PRIETO WINNER BOOSTS BILBAO-SOCCER

A Luis Prieto winner against Osasuna gave Athletic Bilbao a major boost in their bid to escape the relegation dogfight and damaged the Pamplona side's bid for an automatic Champions League spot.

The defender headed home after 59 minutes for the only goal of a match which Athletic deservedly won after an impressive second half display.

Late on a scuffle between Bilbao's Ismael Urzaiz and Osasuna's Ludovic Delporte saw both players sent off.

Athletic were at their best in attack with Joseba Etxeberria and Fran Yeste combining well while the Osasuna forwards had little luck against a sturdy backline.

Athletic midfielder Yeste accepted before the match that his side had enjoyed good luck in recent weeks which has helped them move clear of the bottom three and facing an in-form Osasuna side it appeared that they would need it to continue.

The biggest impact that Javier Clemente has had since taking over the reins at Athletic is to strengthen the defence and the home side appeared solid throughout.

Athletic were enjoying the greater play in attacking areas during the first half but Osasuna when they did press forward looked more like scoring as they looked to defend their second place in the Liga against Real Madrid who play on Sunday.

Yeste was the most dangerous player in midfield and he was proving very effective in linking up with Aritz Aduriz and Etxeberria in attack.

Andoni Iraola and Etxeberria both had half-chances from the edge of the area to give Athletic the lead but they failed to make the most of them.

Osasuna have proved themselves to have a strong system this season and the speed which they break from midfield with David Lopez and Raul Garcia supporting the forwards have unsettled stronger sides than Athletic.

Javier Aguirre's team should have gone ahead mid-way through the first half but Pierre Webo failed to make the most of a chance from 10 yards.

Moha El Yaagoubi, a constant threat on the left-wing, swung in a cross which was met by Lopez at the far post and he in turn found Webo in front of goal but he shot weakly at Inaki Lafuente.

On the point of half-time Webo was again wasteful as he shot wide after being set up by a Savo Milosevic header.

Athletic raised the tempo at the start of the second half and Osasuna struggled to cope.

Athletic's danger was coming crosses with first Etxeberria heading wide from a cross by Prieto.

Unai Exposito found Yeste in front of goal and the midfielder should have scored but he headed just past the post. The result was a falied.

A goal appeared on the cards and it arrived on the hour mark from similar play.

A Yeste free-kick was met by Prieto at the far post and he beat Ricardo Lopez from close range.

With Milosevic disappearing after the interval, well marshalled by the Athletic defence, Aguirre decided to replace him with Daniel Romeo with the aim of upsetting the visitor's backline with his pace.

Except from a well-struck shot from distance by Javier Flano, though, it was Athletic who remained in the driving seat.

The game ended in a frantic finale as Osasuna pressed forward and Athletic's play became nervous.

During injury time Delporte and Urzaiz were both dismissed after pushing and shoving broke out following a foul by the Frenchman.