San Mamés dances to Sancet's beat

Athletic Club smashed Cádiz CF 4-1 to get back to winning ways in LaLiga. Midfielder Oihan Sancet, who scored three goals and could have got a few more, was inspired as he drove Athletic to an outstanding victory at San Mames. The icing on the cake came from Yeray Álvarez, who joined the party with a header from an Iker Muniain set-piece.

The first clear-cut chance of the game came from Nico Williams, who forced Conan into a fine save. Sancet gave Athletic the lead with a powerful effort in the ninth minute, but Cádiz also made their presence felt via attempts from Theo Bongonda and Gonzalo Escalante.

It was a give and take and in the 24th minute Brian Ocampo set up Gonzalo Escalante to equalise. Fortunately, the Lions struck back quicklu, Sancet scoring with a low drive in the 34th minute after a one-two between Alex Berenguer and Raúl García.

Los Rojiblancos were on a roll. In the 43rd minute, Muniain whipped in a precise free-kick and Yeray headed home at the far post. The centre-back, who is having a great season, celebrated wildy in front of the San Mames faithful.

Athletic looked set to storm away with the win, even though Unai Simon had to pull of a great save from Luis Hernandez in the 53rd minute. However, a setback arrived when the referee gave Yuri Berchiche a second yellow and his marching orders.

The truth is the Zurrigorri did not have to worry too much, Oihan put the game to bed and guaranteed he'd take home the match ball finishing off a counter-attack with a vicious left-footed shot on 75 minutes. Ruben Sobrino hit the post late on, but Athletic were already sailing to victory.

An unforgettable night for Sancet, his second Athletic hat-trick after last year's in Pamplona and his seventh goal of the season, while Athletic edge closer towards the race for European football.

What's more, it's a night mountaineer Alex Txikon will never forget, the man who recently climbed Manaslu taking a pre-match ceremonial kick-off.