Llorente double defeats Atletico in Bilbao
Reuters - Thursday 27 October 2011, 22:07
Atletico Madrid's miserable run
continued when they were beaten 3-0 at Athletic Bilbao in La
Liga on Thursday, a fifth consecutive game without a win leaving
them down in 12th place with 10 points from nine matches.
Bilbao struck three times in eight second-half minutes at
their rain-lashed San Mames stadium, Spain striker Fernando
Llorente netting twice and substitute Gaizka Toquero adding the
third with a quarter-of-an-hour left.
The Basque club's third win in four matches lifted them to
eighth on 12 points as their revival gathered pace following a
poor start under new Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa.
In the earlier kick-off, Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani
scored a 75th-minute winner for Espanyol as the Barcelona-based
side beat promoted Real Betis 1-0 to climb to sixth on 15
points.
On Wednesday, surprise leaders Levante (23 points) stayed
top by beating Real Sociedad 3-2.
Real Madrid are a point back in second thanks to a 3-0 win
at home to Villarreal on Wednesday. Champions Barcelona are
third, a further point adrift, after Tuesday's 1-0 triumph at
Granada.