La Liga: Espanyol 2 Athletic Bilbao 1

Espanyol have accounted for fellow La Liga mid-table side Athletic Bilbao 2-1 on Monday to keep their Europa League hopes alive.

Striker Pablo Osvaldo opened the scoring for Espanyol in the 35th minute before the Basque outfit levelled 10 minutes later through winger Markel Susaeta’s free kick to cancel out the lead.

Controversy struck just before the half-time whistle when referee Jose Antonio Vitienes failed to award a penalty to the hosts after Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz brought down Ivan Alonso in the box.

The Catalans, however, ensured the decision would not have a telling impact on the final result.

Scorer Osvaldo turned provider for Uruguayan forward Alonso, who applied the finish to claim the three points for his side in the 76th minute.

Espanyol now sit in eighth and three points from opponents Bilbao, who had dropped back into seventh during the weekend after both Sevilla and Atletico Madrid earned away wins.