MADRID, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Athletic Bilbao moved to third in the La Liga table with a 2-1 home win over Real Sociedad in the Basque derby on Saturday evening.
Athletic were clearly the better side in the first half and led 2-0 at the break with two goals from Alex Berenguer as they imposed their speed and rapid movement over their rivals.
Berenguer scored from close range after 30 minutes following a combination between Nico Williams and Yuri Berchiche, and added the second in the 42nd minute from a loose ball after Williams had again opened up the visiting defense.
Athletic also controlled the second half and looked set for an easy win, but Mikel Oyarzabal chested the ball home in the 88th minute after Aihen Munoz had mishit a shot.
That led to a nervous six minutes of injury time, but the home side managed the closing minutes intelligently for the win.
Elsewhere, Isco's 76th minute goal gave Betis a 1-0 win at home to Granada, ending a run of just one win in their last 10 games and leaving the rivals rooted in the relegation zone.
Betis had most of the chances, but Granada were close to an equalizer when Matias Arezo had an 83rd minute effort ruled out for a tight offside.
Villarreal's miserable week, which saw them knocked out of the cup to a third tier rival, continued as they were well-beaten 3-0 away to Las Palmas.
Marcelino Garcia Toral's side were quickly behind to the first of Kirian Rodriguez's two goals after just eight minutes.
Juan Herzog powered in a header from a corner in the 51st minute to double Las Palmas' lead and Rodriguez's second of the game 12 minutes later sealed the win.
Mallorca and Celta Vigo drew 1-1, with Iago Aspas putting Celta ahead in the 10th minute, with a well-placed shot, before Cyle Larin leveled two minutes from halftime with a good finish following a cross from Gio Gonzalez.
Ruben Duarte's late header gave Alaves a late but deserved 3-2 win away to Sevilla, whose problems continue under new coach Quique Sanchez Flores.
Nahuel Tenaglia and Kike Garcia put Alaves 2-0 up in the first half and the team from Vitoria had chances to add to their lead before Rafa Mir chested in a goal for Sevilla with 20 minutes left.
Lucas Ocampos scored a controversial penalty in the 82nd minute to raise thoughts of a fightback, but Duarte's header following a corner ensured justice was done to lift his side four points clear of their rivals. ■
