Iñaki Williams fires Athletic to Basque Derby win

An Iñaki Williams brace, one a poacher's goal and the other a wonderful strike, set the Basque Derby alight and provided Athletic Club with a crucial victory.

Ernesto Valverde's Lions put in a vintage performance to win 2-0 in front of a home crowd of almost 50,000 spectators and take Athletic to within touching distance of the European places.

Los Rojiblancos controlled the game, were brave in possession and constantly hustled the Real Sociedad backline up front. After a frenetic opening period, Athletic settled into the encounter and created the first big chance of the match. Oihan Sancet stole the ball to find Nico Williams on the left, whose shot was superbly saved by Alex Remiro.

Not long afterwards, la Real's goalkeeper was called upon again, pulling off an acrobatic save to keep out a curling Iñaki effort from the edge of the box.

Athletic took the lead from a corner, Iñaki beating Remiro at the far post with a scrappy goal in the 32nd minute. La Real claimed there had been a handball, but after a VAR revision the goal stood.

The Zurigorri then went in search of a second, an incisive Ander Capa, making his first start in two years, connecting with Sancet.

Athletic went into the break 1-0 up and Imanol Alguacil ringed the changes for Real Sociedad, bringing on Ander Barrenetxea and Aritz Elustondo.

It was Barrenetxea who went closest to equalising, forcing Unai Simón into excellent reflex save which the shotstopper immediately followed up with another exceptional stop when Take Kubo tried his luck on the rebound.

Athletic needed a second not just to put the game to bed, but also to go level with Real Sociedad on head-to-head goal difference - something which could prove crucial come the end of the season.

Of course it was the Panther who would bring it home. Raúl García switched play and found Iñaki on the right wing, the winger drove into the box and fired a rocket past Remiro to double the lead. Iñaki is now Athletic's top scorer this season - with nine goals, eight in LaLiga, level with Sancet.

The visitors went for broke. Mohamed-Ali Cho forced Simon into another fine save and Barrenetxea sent a free-kick into the clouds. Ernesto brought on some fresh legs and Iñaki received a standing ovation for his brilliant performance.

It was just the victory Los Leones and Athleticzales needed to forget about the Copa exit. Things are looking up, and there are 27 points up for grabs as we go for Europe.