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Athletic Bilbao crush Valladolid to maintain top four pace / Photo: © AFP
Athletic Bilbao crush Valladolid to maintain top four pace
Athletic Bilbao hammered bottom side Real Valladolid 7-1 on Sunday in La Liga to stay on track for Champions League football next season.
Ernesto Valverde's side, fourth, were rampant at the San Mames with Spain star Nico Williams scoring twice in the win which took them four points clear of Villarreal in fifth.
His brother Inaki Williams finished off the rout, started by Mikel Jauregizar's 10th minute strike.
Nico Williams doubled the lead with a fine individual effort, before Maroan Sannadi and Oihan Sancet added further goals at the end of the first half.
Mamadou Sylla struck for Valladolid early in the second period but Stank Juric's red card snuffed out even the faintest hope of a comeback.
Nico Williams netted again before his brother first set up Gorka Guruzeta for the sixth and then sealed Athletic's emphatic triumph.
Later Sunday champions Real Madrid, third, host Girona, aiming to pull level on points with leaders Barcelona.
Getafe welcome Betis and Real Sociedad host Leganes in other fixtures.
L. Andersson--BTZ
