ATLETICO Madrid stretched their lead at the top of the Spanish First Division to nine, points, yesterday, with a convincing 4-1 home win over Athletic Bilbao.
Atletico dominated a rain affected game, and had several clear chances before opening he scoring in the 14th minute when international striker Kiko Narvaez got on the end of a cross from Delfi Geli.
Athletic Bilbao equalised against the run of play on the half hour when Joseba Etxeberna outjumped the Atletico defence to head home a free kick.
But a superbly curled free kick from Serbian set piece specialist Milinko Pantic restored Atletico's lead just before half time, and after the break Atletico overwhelmed a disorganised and dispirited Athletic Bilbao side.
Lyuboslav Penev was brought down in the area on the hour, and the Bulgarian striker converted the spot kick himself to Argentinian midfielder Leonardo Biagini replaced Penev, and scored a simple goal with only his second touch after a run by Jose Luis Caminero had caused chaos in the Athletic defence.
Real Madrid's new coach Arsenio Iglesias made a successful debut at Real Oviedo, where teenage striker Raul Gonzalez scored an 82nd minute goal to give his side a hard fought 2-1 victory which leaves Real in sixth place, 16 points behind Atletico.
