Below par Real lose 4-2 at Athletic Bilbao

Leaders Real Madrid ended a miserable week when they suffered a 4-2 defeat at an inspired Athletic Bilbao in the Primera Liga on Saturday.

The champions, who lost 3-2 in extra-time to Real Zaragoza in the King's Cup final on Wednesday, trailed Bilbao 2-0 at the break but manged to get back on level terms when skipper Raul scored twice early in the second half.

However, Bilbao refused to give way and punished Real for some poor defending when left back Asier del Horno scored two classy goals in two minutes midway through the second half to ensure his side enjoyed a thoroughly deserved victory.

Real have taken just two points from their last three games and could see their four-point lead at the top cut to one if second-placed Valencia win at home to Real Mallorca on Sunday.

Fourth-placed Deportivo Coruna also have a chance to make up ground when they play basement side Murcia later on Saturday while in-form Barcelona, who are third, could close to within six points if they beat Real Sociedad at home on Sunday.

Bilbao, who had lost their last two league games, had the better of a high tempo start at San Mames, stretching the Real defence with some slick passing and creating a couple of half chances in the first 10 minutes.

Real were slow to respond and lacked sting up front without the presence of leading striker Ronaldo, who is still recovering from a thigh injury.

It was no surprise when Bilbao took the lead four minutes before the break when their highly-rated midfielder Francisco Yeste made the most of some terrible defending.

Real centre back Ivan Helguera failed to clear from his area and instead gifted the ball to Yeste who took advantage of further hesitation in the defence to pick his spot and curl a measured shot past goalkeeper Iker Casillas into the net.

The visitors were still reeling from the blow when former Real youth player Ismael Urzaiz put Bilbao further ahead, outjumping two defenders to send a glancing header inside the far post after Tiko had wafted in a free kick from the right.

Real coach Carlos Queiroz obviously gave his side a stern talking to at halftime and they pulled a goal back within 40 seconds of the restart.

Luis Figo chipped in from the right, Zinedine Zidane flicked on with his head and Raul fired in from close range with a first-time shot.

Raul, who had been in poor form since the turn of the year, struck again 16 minutes later, this time guiding in unopposed at the far post after Roberto Carlos had clipped in a measured cross from the left.

But Bilbao hit back less than a quarter of an hour later when left back Del Horno headed in after Tiko had sown panic in the Real defence with a swirling free kick.

The Bilbao defender put the result beyond doubt two minutes later when he dispossessed Michel Salgado 40 metres out, checked past Helguera and drilled the ball under Casillas to make it 4-2.