A Sergio Garcia goal was the difference as Espanyol claimed a 1-0 win against Athletic Bilbao in this afternoon's La Liga clash at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat.

Following a quiet, tentative start to the game, Benat was responsible for the first chance when his effort in the ninth minute flew just wide of the hosts' goal.

This brief flurry of action proved to be the exception as both sides continued to provide little entertainment until the half-hour mark, when Lucas Vazquez and Benat traded efforts that missed the target.

Espanyol went on to take the lead five minutes before the break thanks to Sergio Garcia, who beat Aymeric Laporte with pace, burst into the box and slotted home.

The visitors came within a whisker of pulling level not long after the restart when Carlos Gurpegi got his head onto Benat's corner, but saw his effort go wide.

Athletic grew into the game and tested Kiko Casilla twice in quick succession from Ibai Gomez and Inaki Williams, but despite their best endeavours, they were unable to avoid defeat.