As Inigo Martinez’s strike sailed woefully past Diego Lopez’s goal with around 15 minutes left to play, it was a moment that encapsulated Monday’s night’s La Liga match into a bitesize piece. Athletic Bilbao, without a win since the opening day, had become so frustrated that now their usually classy centre half was firing pot shots in hope of some fortune. For Espanyol, floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee, blocked and dodged the Basque side’s attacks throughout this rainy evening in Barcelona with a degree of comfort – and did just enough to take all three points and follow their Catalan rivals to the roof of the table.

In the monsoon of a first half things started brightly for Eduardo Berizzo’s Bilbao side, with a high press forcing the game to be played in the home side’s half whilst taking the lion’s share of possession – yet without posing any considerable goalmouth threat. The Basque side looked anxious, worried but sharp and Espanyol showed their opponents a calm respect. The early substitution of the injured Yeray, nearly followed by the hurt Raul Garcia, could have derailed Bilbao’s growing momentum; momentum that started last week in the draw with Valencia. Despite Bilbao’s urgency Espanyol were still sitting comfortably, the defensively line almost breathing in a perfect rhythm, shrinking then expanding when required, whilst the occasional straight through ball into Bilbao’s third of the pitch caused panic. The eagerness of Bilbao to not lose was clear, Rubi’s tightly organised Espanyol team looking well aware of this angst.

Weathering Bilbao’s efforts, Espanyol switched into attack mode in the 41st minute. Leo Baptistao on the right produced some good footwork to break free, burst across the face of the nervy Bilbao backline before switching the ball over to the left back Didac Vila who’d seen this break as an opportunity. On his second touch, spotting centre forward Borja Iglesias’s forward movements, he delivered a deep cross where Iglesias didn’t even have to break his strike – just a simple headed connection needed to send the ball into the back of the net. It’s five goals in his last five La Liga games for a striker in his first full La Liga season, following a £9 million move from Celta Vigo in the summer.

Slow coming out of the tunnel after the half-time break, most expected a revved up, freshly-instructed Bilbao to start the second half but it was Espanyol who turned on the style. Sergio Garcia, at the ripe age of 35, was showing his class with flicks, tricks, nutmegs and youthful bursts of pace. When Sergi Dardar nutmegged his direct opponent, Mikel San Jose, in the centre circle, the confidence in this well-oiled side was flowing. It could have cost them however as Sergio Garcia, one-on-one with the goalkeeper, confidently chipped over the on-rushing Herrerin but wide of the goal. Moments later, at the other end, Aduriz half-heartedly latched onto a cut back in the Espanyol box. It was a tame effort, but an opening, Espanyol did not want to be guilty of becoming complacent.

Twenty minutes remaining, Iker Muniain and Markel Susaeta were hurled into action to rescue something, the running and intensity of Bilbao now at 100% which started to leave holes in their backline. The Catalans wisely sat back and deployed the full backs as playmakers, dipping balls into advanced wide areas behind the now frantic, desperate Bilbao players. Two-on-two and three-on-three opportunities present themselves to Espanyol, with the best chance falling to Sergi Dardar after a beautifully fluid move. The 24 year old, with a playing style not that dissimilar to fellow ex-Malaga midfielder Isco, could have struck the ball first time but checked and crossed, and ultimately wasted a golden chance to put the seal on this match.

Like Sergio Garcia’s miss earlier on, Bilbao sensed that Dardar had let them off the hook and looked to capitalise. Inaki Williams, with his consistently strong running, made his way into the Espanyol box but his shot was blocked heroically by David Lopez. The three Lopez’s, David, Javi and Diego, in Espanyol’s defensive unit of the four man backline and goalkeeper were superb throughout. The camaraderie and passion to defend akin to that of Juventus’s current living legends in their defence. Indeed, Espanyol’s defensive record is only second to Atletico Madrid in La Liga with just 8 goals conceded in the opening 11 games.

As Sergio Garcia was taken off to a standing ovation, and centre back/holding midfielder Victor Sanchez was brought on, the door was closing on Athletic Bilbao in gaining anything from this game. Their frustrations seemed to turn to dejection in the closing moments. The running slowing on the acceptance of another poor result, left Espanyol the submission artist space to finish off their tired prey. Borja Iglesias, with his cumbersome approach, bullied his way into a one-on-one situation which somehow was saved and deflected over.

The game was up. Berizzo’s Bilbao trudged off the soggy pitch knowing that they are still hovering just above the relegation places, but for Espanyol their tremendous start under Rubi continues as they now sit in second place, three points behind Barcelona. It was another game where Rubi had orchestrated a squeeze of his opponents; the solid foundation of a good defence, technically excellent central midfield and snappy attack putting in a very well-balanced display.