Athletic Bilbao extended their unbeaten run to nine games after
beating Valencia 3-2 courtesy of an injury-time penalty in a bruising
encounter at San Mames.
The Basques twice came from behind to claim the points with Fernando
Llorente netting the crucial spot-kick after Manuel Fernandes was
given his second yellow card for holding back Javi Martinez as he
shot on goal. It was a dramatic climax to an action-packed match
that produced a flurry of first-half goals as David Villa and Fernando
Morientes twice gave the visitors the lead only for them to be pegged
back both times by headers from Igor Gabilondo and Martinez.
The goals dried up in the second period but it was still a game
littered with chances and plenty of incident.
Joaquin hit the bar following a pass from Mata three minutes after
the restart and then Mata should have put Valencia back in front
when a loose ball dropped into his path on the penalty spot but
he could only send his shot skywards.
Llorente scored with a header from another Lopez cross moments
later only to see it ruled out for offside, while Lopez struck the
outside of the post from a tight angle late on as the game appeared
destined for stalemate.
However, referee Carlos Megia Devila spotted Fernandes' tug on
Martinez as he brought a fine save out of Guaita and Llorente sealed
the win from 12 yards with the last act of the game.
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