Athletic Club - Rayo Vallecano

Athletic Club had the home fans on their feet for the full 90 minutes as they thumped Rayo Vallecano 4-0 at San Mames. The side from Madrid conceded more goals at The Cathedral than in their previous seven away games.

The win sees Ernesto Valverde's Lions take a commanding grip on fifth place and a European spot.

Everything went according to plan. Nico Williams marked his contract renewal until 2027 with a stunning goal to cap a great performance, while Gorka Guruzeta and Iñaki Williams each scored their seventh league goal of the season... What more could an Athleticzale ask for?

Difficulties can arise at any moment, as shown when Ander Herrera was forced to take Mikel Vesga's place in the starting XI after the latter suffered a hamstring injury, but Athletic never seem phased.

The Lions had absolute control throughout the afternoon. They harrassed Rayo's defenders up top and neutralised Francisco's side with a lesson on keeping calm in possession.

Guruzeta had a goal disallowed in the 14th minute after being found millimetres offside when played through by Nico Williams. But Gorka did not give up and scored again nine minutes later. Iñaki dispossed Óscar Valentin before Oihan Sancet played through Guru to score.

As has been the case all season, Los Rojiblancos stepped up the intensity in the second half. After Unai López threatened with a header that went wide, Sancet set up a counter for Iñaki and the forward's cross took a massive deflection off Alfonso Espino before going in. It was only the 47th minute.

San Mames came alive around the hour mark, perhaps feeling what was to come. And then the Williams brothers took centre stage. Our third goal was magic - a great team move. Nico, Sancet and Guruzeta combined to find the elder Williams sibling with a great ball at the back post. Iñaki made no mistake.

Nico's goal, the one everyone wanted after his contract extension, came next. It was a strike which exemplifed all his class. The defenders backed off, he cut in and struck a powerful effort into the bottom corner. The piece de resistance.

Athletic were efficient and effective against a committed Rayo side and San Mames had a blast while heralding the younger Williams, who is a tremendous footballer.

There's no denying it, Athletic are in confident mood. However, it's all about taking it one game at a time and on Thursday we play Cayón in the Copa del Rey.