Bilbao pip Sevilla, Mbappe propels Real to top, Betis and Mallorca post facile victories

Athletic Bilbao stayed on the fringes of the Spanish title race with a 1-0 win at Sevilla on Sunday in La Liga.

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Yeray Alvarez headed home from a free-kick in the 84th minute to secure a narrow win for the Basque side, fourth, eight points behind league leaders Real Madrid.

Barcelona, second, visit Atletico Madrid, third, later Sunday in a key clash at the top.

Athletic moved eight points clear of fifth-placed Villarreal, who fell to a 2-1 defeat by champions Real Madrid on Saturday.

Earlier Real Betis, sixth, pulled level on points with Villarreal after an entertaining 3-2 win at Leganes.

Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe’s brace helped Real Madrid climb top of La Liga with a 2-1 win at Villarreal on Saturday despite coach Carlo Ancelotti’s complaints that his team was “exhausted”.

Los Blancos moved three points clear of rivals Barcelona, having played two extra games, with the Catalans visiting third place Atletico Madrid on Sunday in a key clash in the Spanish title race.

Madrid were unhappy the game was taking place fewer than 72 hours after their Champions League win on penalties against Atletico on Wednesday.