athletic bilbao - online sports 

Bilbao win but Eto'o claims Pichichi

A virtually second-string Barcelona ended their stunning double-winning season in inglorious fashion with a limp 3-1 defeat at mid-table Atletico Bilbao on Saturday.'

Bilbao were much the more determined side, desperate to give their expectant public a winning finale to the season, while Barcelona, who only three days previously had claimed their second Champions League crown, were understandably understated.

They had just finished the most successful season in their history, cantering to the league title weeks ago before a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Arsenal in Wednesday's European showpiece final in Paris.

With nothing to play for, this game was little more than an unwanted distraction for Barca, except, that is, Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o. In fact, he was one of the few recognisable first-team starters to take to the field as he had his own agenda to deal with - he needed just one more goal to beat Valencia's David Villa for outright victory in the Spanish golden boot competition.

The speedy forward, who started the Barca turnaround on Wednesday, achieved his aim of winning the Pichichi by opening the scoring after 36 minutes.

The champions of Europe held that lead until almost the hour mark when Andoni Iraola levelled the scores with a clinical finish.

The match seemed to be heading for a highly dissatisfying draw until the last 10 minutes when a quick-fire double settled the affair.

First, Felipe Gurendez smashed home a rebound on 80 minutes and then Barcelona's Presas Oleguer inadvertently turned a cross from Joseba Etxeberria passed his own keeper, Albert Jorquera, just two minutes later.