Athletic Bilbao 1 - 2 Mallorca

Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Mallorca

Updated: May 4, 2008, 9:47 PM UK

Dani Guiza struck twice to jump to the top of the Primera Liga goalscorer's list and keep Real Mallorca's slim European hopes alive with a 2-1 away win at Athletic Bilbao.

The 27-year-old striker has been linked with a summer move to Barcelona and he did his hopes no harm with a double strike to take his season's tally to 24 - one ahead of Sevilla's Luis Fabiano.

Mallorca manager Gregorio Manzano conceded last month he was resigned to losing the services of Guiza and the frontman took just three minutes to show his class, scoring from close range.

And while Fernando Llorente equalised five minutes later, Guiza proved his value to the island club scoring the winner after 71 minutes - his 13th goal in 10 games.

Athletic welcomed midfielder Carlos Gurpegui back to the to San Mames as he made his first home appearance for two years following his doping ban.

Coincidentally his previous home appearance was against Mallorca, and it was the visitors who jumped into an early lead when Guiza struck a left-foot shot past Riveiro Armando from close range after three minutes.

The home side's riposte was not long in coming, however, as Llorente got his side back on level terms with a header after seven minutes.

Markel Susaeta sent a cross to the near post where Lorent was on hand to guide his chance into the net.

Mallorca enjoyed the best chances of the opening half with Juan Arango heading over from close range following a cross from Fernando Varela.

Arango was again off target after 24 minutes when he drilled a 20-yard free-kick wide of the right-hand post.

Guiza provided another glimpse of his attacking threat on the half hour when he headed a cross from Pierre Webo on goal, only to be denied by Armando who tipped the effort over his crossbar.

Athletic struggled to find a way through the home defence although Joseba Garmendia's long-range strike after 33 minutes forced Miguel Moya into action as he parried the shot away from goal.

Webo then hit the crossbar with a header two minutes from half-time as the team's went into the break on level terms.

After the interval former Chelsea defender Asier Del Horno provided Athletic with hope of claiming the goal that would give them a lead as he crossed for Llorente only for him to head into the hands of Moya before shooting wide himself from 12 yards.

Guiza threatened again on the hour mark when he shot over before Arango saw his 30-yard free-kick easily saved.

But it was Guiza who gave his side the lead after 71 minutes when he was on hand to score from close range after an assist from Borja Valero.

Athletic had their chances to claim an equaliser most notably through Aritz Aduriz after 82 minutes but he volleyed over the crossbar when well placed.

A further opportunity arose in injury time, but again the home fans would be left unsatisfied with their team's finishing as Fernando Amorebieta struck a close range shot over the cross bar.