Athletic Bilbao 3 - Real Sociedad 0

Athletic: Aranzubia; Expósito, Luis Prieto, Gurpegui, Casas; Orbaiz, Ibon Gutiérrez; Iraola, Yeste (Lacruz 88'), Etxeberría (Tiko 77'); Llorente (Julen Guerrero 84'). 4-2-3-1.
Real Sociedad: Riesgo; López Rekarte, Labaka, Garitano, Garrido; Mikel Alonso; Uranga (Xabi Prieto 46'), Larrea, Aranburu (Gabilondo 62'), Barkero; Kovacevic. 4-1-4-1.

Goals:
1-0. 47. Yeste. Beat Riesgo with angled shot after picking up Etxeberría pass.
2-0. 52. Llorente. Took pass from Iraola and lifted ball over keeper into net.
3-0. 81. Luis Prieto. Got on the end of low Tiko free kick to turn ball in on far post.

A local derby to open the new season, with Athletic Bilbao overcoming eternal rivals Real Sociedad and scoring three times in the second half to take the victory. The two clubs met before the match to try and reconcile their differences over the transfer of Zubiaurre, and there was a friendly atmosphere in the directors' box. But as usual both sides gave it their all, with the early chances falling to the home side's Etxeberría and Llorente.

There was no score by the break though, but within two minutes of the restart Athletic were ahead, Etxeberría playing on Iraola's cross into the path of Yeste for him to beat Riesgo. Seconds earlier Labaka had missed a chance, and Kovacevic could have equalised if he could have found the target soon after Yeste's strike. But a few minutes later Llorente made it two, his shot being helped over the keeper with a little help from Garitano.

Etxeberría could have got a third goal later on, and at the other end Nihat came on for his first appearance in several months and tried his luck. Labaka too could have pulled one back when he headed a corner over the top, but ten minutes from the end Luis Prieto put the game beyond Real's reach when he turned in Tilo's free kick on the far post. First blood to Athletic who top the table pending Sunday's games, but things are only just starting.