Athletic Club returned to winning ways with a convincing 4-0 victory over Getafe at San Mames, condemning the visitors to a sixth consecutive LaLiga away defeat - their worst run since April 2016.

Alex Berenguer was the decisive figure, scoring once, creating another and contributing to two further goals as Athletic Club scored more than once at home for only the second time in nine league matches.

Getafe, still recovering from Wednesday’s damaging 5-2 defeat by Swiss underdogs Lugano, almost made a fast start. Ramon Terrats found space on the edge of the area inside five minutes, but his effort was straight at Unai Simon.

Athletic Club soon took control and went ahead through an unusual Berenguer free-kick. From the left side of the penalty area, he appeared to put the ball into the box, but it evaded every player and curled into the far corner.

The goal was only Athletic Club’s third in the first half this campaign, but it gave the hosts greater confidence. Getafe had a couple of openings as they searched for an equaliser, yet they were unable to make their opportunities count.

They were punished again after losing possession in midfield. Berenguer immediately played a defence-splitting pass to release Inaki Williams, who kept his composure before slotting the ball past David Soria.

Berenguer nearly added another soon after the interval when he ran on to a lofted pass into the area, but he lifted his angled attempt over the crossbar.

Getafe offered little in response. Nemanja Gudelj did send a shot over at the other end, but it proved to be an isolated chance for the visitors as Athletic Club continued to dominate.

The home side extended their advantage in the 70th minute. Berenguer delivered a corner towards the near area and Aitor Paredes directed a header towards goal. The effort was on target, but a deflection off Jean Ives Valou’s heel sent the ball beyond the helpless Soria.

Getafe’s afternoon deteriorated further when Mario Martin was shown a late red card for a careless challenge on Benat Gerenabarrena. From the resulting free-kick, Yuri Berchiche fired into the bottom-left corner after Berenguer’s flicked pass.

Athletic Club were never in serious danger of surrendering their unbeaten home league record. Getafe, meanwhile, have won only once in their past 11 matches and remain just one point above 18th-placed Espanyol.

Berenguer was named Flashscore’s Man of the Match.