Vedat Muriqi scored a hat-trick as we overcame an 10-man Athletic Club to register our first win of the new year and an important three points.
Jagoba Arrasate opted for pace on the wings in Matteo Joseph and Jan Virgili with Muriqi leading the line as centre forward.
We could not have wished for a better start as we took advantage of the visitors’ high line to race in behind, with Sergi Darder teeing up Muriqi in the box to put us ahead in the fifth minute.
Athletic Club provided an instant response through Unai Gomez when he was slipped through on goal and found the bottom corner three minutes later.
A VAR review in the 40th minute saw us awarded a penalty as Vivian was adjudged to have handled in the box with Muriqi making no mistake from the spot to restore our lead in the 42nd minute.
We were not to go into the break ahead as Nico Williams levelled matters with a fine finish from the edge of the box which found the top corner.
Another VAR review in the 68th minute saw us awarded our second penalty of the afternoon for a handball by Yuri as Muriqi made no mistake from the spot to complete his hat-trick and put us back in front.
The game further swung in our favour as Athletic Club were reduced to 10 men as Guruzeta received his marching orders for protesting a referee’s decision.
We never looked like conceding in the remaining minutes and held onto our lead to ensure all three points remained at home.
LINE-UPS:
RCD Mallorca: Leo Román; Mateu Jaume, Valjent, Kumbulla, Lato (Mojica, 83'); Samu Costa, Mascarell, Darder (Javi Llabrés, 93'); Jan Virgili (Pablo Torre, 83'), Mateo Joseph (Antonio Sánchez, 73') y Muriqi.
Athletic Club: Unai Simón; Areso (Gorosabel, 76'), Vivian, Paredes, Yuri; Jauregizar, Galarreta (Izeta, 76'), Unai Gómez (Sancet, 59'); Berenguer (Iñaki Williams, 59'), Nico Williams (Robert Navarro, 72') y Guruzeta.
Goals: Muriqi (min. 4), Unai Gómez (min. 8), Muriqi (min. 42), Nico Williams (min. 45) y Muriqi (min. 69).
Referee: José Luis Guzmán Mansilla.
