Valverde: "Good performances win you points"

Ernesto Valverde hailed Athletic Club's 7-1 victory over Real Valladolid on Sunday, telling his players to stay ambitious and keep scoring goals.

The Lions thrashed Valladolid at San Mames, going 4-0 up before half-time and netting a further three after the break.

"Being competitive is about achieving good numbers, not just at a collective level but individually as well," Valvered said at his post-match press conference.

"Obviously, the consequence of all that is that you win points. It's important that our players are scoring goals and that they are ambitious enough to score, create assists and accumulate chances."

Even though the victory came against LaLiga's bottom-placed side, the gaffer insisted wins in this competition can never be taken for granted.

He said: "Delivering on pre-match predictions is always difficult. Ultimately, you have to win matches in the Primera División and that's difficult.

"We started the game well with a high tempo, got the opening goal and had chances. Things could have got difficult when their equaliser was ruled out and then we made it 2-0 straight after.

"We were hurting them as pushed higher up the pitch. With their sending off, it was easier and they suffered for the situation they were in."