Missed chance for Bilbao

Webo: Earned the points

Athletic Bilbao missed the chance to close to within four points of fourth-placed Villarreal and the UEFA Champions League spots after seeing their winning streak ended by Real Mallorca.

Athletic had charged up to fifth in the Primera Division after winning six of their last eight matches - including each of their last four - and would have been desperate to take advantage of Villarreal's shock loss to Deportivo La Coruna at the weekend.

However, Joaquin Caparros' men were left empty-handed on the Balearic Island after going down to an early Pierre Webo goal.

Mallorca had taken just one point from their previous four matches, but tonight's win lifts Michael Laudrup's men level with seventh-placed Getafe and two other teams - Sevilla and Real Sociedad - on 31 points.

Mallorca had suffered a surprise 4-0 mauling at the hands of lowly Sporting Gijon in their last home match, but they were determined to avoid a repeat this evening.

The hosts were ahead with only 11 minutes on the clock when Webo, who was back in the starting line-up after missing the draw with Osasuna through suspension, netted his fifth goal of the season.

The powerful Cameroon forward showed quick reactions to divert Emilio Nsue's cross past Gorka Iraizoz at his near post.