Goals keep coming for evergreen Aduriz

Muniain on the mark for second straight week

One of the best pieces of news at San Mames recently has been Iker Muniain's return. After coming back from a serious injury, the Athletic Club academy graduate has been gradually eased back into action by Ernesto Valverde. Now he is on song again and after netting at Mestalla last time out, the diminutive winger got his name on the scoresheet again in the opening stages against RC Deportivo, applying the finishing touch after Raul Garcia had nodded the ball across goal.

Pletikosa's baptism of fire

With German Lux suspended following his sending-off last week, there had been question marks over who would deputise. Victor opted to go with experience in the shape of Croatia international Stipe Pletikosa, who made his LaLiga debut for the club he joined in the winter transfer window.

Susaeta serves up some magic

Following Muniain's opener, Athletic took control of the game and tormented the visitors down the flanks. It was in these circumstances that Markel Susaeta came to the fore, conjuring up two perfect assists either side of half-time for Aritz Aduriz to continue his goalscoring exploits.

Deportivo summon a response

Heading into the dressing room 2-0 down, the team from A Coruña will have been well aware that they needed an early goal in the second half to stand any chance of mounting a comeback. That wish was to be granted. Lucas Perez sprinted on to a long ball behind the opposition defence, raced past Gorka Iraizoz and, with the angle too tight to favour a shot, slid a pass across for Oriol Riera to side-foot into the empty net.

Hat-trick hero Aduriz

No sooner were Deportivo dreaming of an equaliser than they were awakened with a bump, Aduriz taking it upon himself to settle the contest. First the striker headed home Susaeta's cross to make it 3-1, having been left unmarked at the far post, and then he showed what a wily old fox in the box he is to volley home a loose ball, rounding off both the rout and his own hat-trick. It is now 17 league goals this season for Aduriz, who is enjoying quite the Indian summer.