Athletic Bilbao stretched their unbeaten run to three matches in the Primera Division by edging out Eibar 1-0 on Sunday.
Carlos Gurpegi's first-half goal was all that separated the sides, although the visitors could have a hatful at the Ipurua Municipal Stadium but for a fine performance from home goalkeeper Jaime Jimenez.
The win nevertheless lifts Athletic above their opponents, who have now lost six on the trot as they continue to slide down the table.
Jaime was kept busy in the early stages, keeping out Raul Navas' header and a strike from long distance by Inaki Williams within the opening six minutes.
Williams fired wide from much closer range soon after as Bilbao continued to press, while Eibar responded with a 14th-minute header from Jon Errasti which fell past the right post.
Jaime was then tested twice in as many minutes by Guillermo, with the goalkeeper first parrying a right-footed shot before pushing clear a header from the Bilbao forward.
However, Eibar's luck ran out after 36 minutes when Ibai Gomez's corner was helped along by Oscar de Marcos to Gurpegi, whose header nestled into the bottom left corner.
Another goal could have followed four minutes later but Jaime stood firm when faced with Iker Muniain's left-footed effort.
Having produced little of note in the first half, Eibar showed signs of life after the interval and Bilbao goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz was brought into the match by palming away Mikel Arruabarrena's powerful strike.
However, hopes of a comeback came to nothing and Bilbao had the best late chances, with Ibai firing narrowly over the crossbar and Aritz Aduriz seeing his header from point-blank range kept out by an agile Jaime eight minutes from time.
