Ismael Urzaiz was the hero as Athletic Bilbao came from behind to beat Espanyol at San Mames on Sunday in the latest round of the Primera Liga.

Urzaiz was left out of the starting line-up, but came off the bench to score both Athletic goals after Jonatas had given the visitors an early lead.

Espanyol coach Ernesto Valverde made wholesale changes to his team following Thursday`s goalless draw at Benfica, which gave the Catalans a place in the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup for only the second time in their history.

Only defender Daniel Jarque and striker Walter Pandiani kept their places in the side, with the latter an obvious choice in the absence of injured captain Raul Tamudo.

Brazilian midfielder Jonatas and Spanish forward Coro were two of the players to come in and the pair quickly made their mark on the match.

The pair, who combined well to score the only goal in last week's win over Real Sociedad, linked up again to give Espanyol an early lead against another Basque outfit.

Coro was the scorer last week, but turned provider with a neat pass after four minutes which Jonatas fired past Bilbao goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia to give the visitors a perfect start.

Aranzubia then saved well from Pandiani's free-kick as the Catalans threatened to go two up after nine minutes.

But Athletic were also looking dangerous and Aritz Aduriz struck the post in the 15th minute after good work from Fernando Amorebieta.

At the other end, Rufete set up Pandiani four minutes later, but the Uruguayan failed to get enough power behind his shot and Aranzubia saved comfortably.

It was to be the last chance Espanyol would have for some time as Athletic dominated the rest of the first half.

Joseba Garmendia, Igor Gabilondo and Joseba Etxeberria all missed good chances for the Basque side and the visitors could consider themselves rather lucky to go in with a lead at the interval.

That luck ran out in the second half.

Former Spanish international Urzaiz came on for the home side after the break and turned the game on its head with two important goals.

Athletic had bombarded the Espanyol area with crosses in the first 15 minutes of the second period and Urzaiz finally got on the end of one after an hour of play, sending a bullet header past Carlos Kameni to bring the Basques level.

It was no more than Athletic deserved and more was to come after 77 minutes as Urzaiz struck again.

Substitute Fran Yeste, who had not been fit enough to start the game, curled a free-kick dangerously into the box and Urzaiz rose again to head home his second of the afternoon.

Ivan De La Pena then came on for Rufete as Espanyol searched for a dramatic late equaliser, but the nine changes seemed to take their toll on a team who performed well below their best.

Nevertheless, it was a fantastic comeback from Athletic, with the Basque side winning back-to-back games for the first time this term and taking another important step towards survival.