Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde was delighted with their 4-0 win against Rayo Vallecano.

Valverde admits the result surprised him.

He said: "We have had to work on it because they have made it difficult for us to get out and until we have finalised it, it has been difficult for us. The 2-0 made us much calmer because we didn't want the game to be live.

"The important thing is to score and for the players up front to dare to do more things.

"It was a good game and we leave happy because it was important to confirm what happened in Girona."

Valverde also said: "Matches are always analyzed based on the result. They are playing good games away from home and it is difficult to beat their lines, which is why we are happy. If they have not been so good it is because we have been able to counteract their potential. We keep adding and we have to keep doing it."