Athletic Bilbao ease past Sevilla in crucial battle for top-four place

Athletic Bilbao eased past 10-man Sevilla this evening to move six points clear in the top four of La Liga.

The hosts took the lead inside five minutes in remarkable circumstances when Markel Susaeta's corner managed to miss everyone at the near post and sneak in.

The game settled down in the rest of the first half, with neither side creating a clear-cut opening before Bilbao went two up nine minutes into the second half.

Iker Muniain was the scorer, cleverly volleying home Andoni Iraola's cross at the back post.

Sevilla's chances of getting back into the game were significantly reduced in the 72nd minute when Diogo Figueiras picked up his second yellow card and was sent off.

Bilbao made the visitors pay instantly through Ander Herrera, who arrived at the penalty spot to meet another Iraola cross and power a header into the corner.

Sevilla netted a consolation soon after when Kevin Gameiro burst onto Jairo Samperio's lay-off and finished firmly into the far corner.

Three points for Bilbao mean that they are now the clear favourites to join the two Madrid clubs and Barcelona in next season's Champions League.