Primera Division: Espanyol fail to impress in 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao

Sergio Garcia's first-half goal gave Espanyol a 1-0 win they scarcely deserved over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

The home side were comprehensively outplayed in this mid-table clash but, thanks to Sergio Garcia's 40th-minute goal they were able to steal the points and make it two victories in a row.

Athletic started the better of the two sides - a trait that would continue through the afternoon - Guillermo getting an early shot away and then Benat fizzing in a strike which went just wide.

It took Espanyol some time to get going and their first serious effort did not arrive until midway through the first half when Jose Canas took aim from a Victor Alvarez cross but was off the mark.

Benat then returned Athletic to the front foot with a long-ranger, but it was Espanyol who took the lead, Sergio Garcia picking his spot from just inside the area after a fine ball from Victor Alvarez.

It was against the majority of the play but after a run of four straight losses prior to last week's win at Villarreal, Espanyol were not about to complain.

Athletic looked to respond after the break but Carlos Gurpegi was off target with a header from a corner, while Inaki Williams was also shut down by Francisco Casilla.

The traffic remained one-way and Ibai Gomez's right-footed shot was well dealt with by Casilla, while Benat hit away from goal.

It was shaping up to be one of those days for the Basque club, and when Oscar de Marcos failed with another chance in the dying minutes, that was confirmed.