Athletic Bilbao 3-0 Sporting Gijon: Aduriz at the double in easy win

Veteran striker Aritz Aduriz continued his superb form by scoring twice in Athletic Bilbao 's comfortable 3-0 victory over Sporting Gijon in La Liga.

Athletic lost four of their opening five league games but have won three and drawn one of their last four matches across all competitions.

Ernesto Valverde identified Sporting's on-loan Barcelona forward Alen Halilovic as the visitors' main threat before the match and his words almost proved prophetic when the 19-year-old whipped a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area in the 16th minute.

But Athletic went ahead in some style before the half-hour mark when Raul Garcia fed the excellent Inaki Williams, whose low cross was met by Markel Susaeta to crown a wonderful team move.

Williams saw a header clawed away from the bottom-right corner by Sporting goalkeeper Alberto Garcia and Omar Mascarell brought the winger down in the box five minutes before half time.

Garcia guessed correctly to keep out Aduriz's penalty but the striker slammed home the rebound.

Aduriz made it 3-0 midway through the second half when he collected Benat's pass and coolly slotted past Garcia for his 14th goal in as many appearances this season.

Athletic move up to 12th place on 11 points and overtake Sporting, who are three points clear of the drop zone in 17th.