Valencia striker Roberto Soldado continued to add to reputation with a hat-trick yesterday.

Soldado struck a treble as Valencia strengthened their position in third place with a commanding 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.

The Spanish international took advantage of a weak backpass from Mikel San Jose to round Gorka Iraizoz and put the visitors in front just before half-time, and he doubled Valencia's lead 12 minutes after the break with another excellent finish from Jordi Alba's cut-back.

Athletic's misery was complete with five minutes to go when referee Fernando Teixeira Vitienes awarded a harsh penalty for a handball by San Jose and Soldado confidently stroked home from the spot.