Shall we start with the good points? CD Tenerife didn’t give up trying, even late on when 4-1 down, and the traveling fans could still be clearly heard giving it their all as this dire defeat drew to a close. Monday nights stirring 1-0 home win over Mallorca was suposed to be the springboard for a decent run and escape from the relegation zone. Instead back came those stupid basic defensive errors as the away drought continued.

Llorente headed over the Tenerife goal just after the start but Nino had a half chance on the turn and Juanlu had a speculative cross, both were taken cleanly by the home keeper. Then the nightmare started, Bertran was too slow to get back from an upfield run and with Toquero bearing down on goal, Culebras had to try to intercept him. It seemed the gentlest of touches from Culebras but the forward went down, the ref waved the red card, and Llorente converted the penalty.

The second goal started with a long clearance from the keeper, Llorente won the aerial challenge with Alfaro and nodded the ball onto Toquero, who ran through the Tenerife defence for a simple goal. Alfaro and Nino worked a great exchange late in the half but Nino couldn’t beat Iraizoz in goal.

Athletic thought they had added a third soon after the break but it was clearly offside, another defensive lapse gave them the chance to make up for it. Koikili drilled a low cross in front of the Tenerife goal and Iraola had time to shape up and take his shot in the area. To their credit Tenerife hit back, Juanlu laid on an inviting pass to Alfaro, who slipped it past the keeper. The final nail came from Gabilondo, another player given the freedom of the goal area.

Alfaro tried a curling shot that just missed the bar, and Nino was through on a break and set up substitute Kome who skied his shot at the clouds. Nino managed another pop at goal but the game was well out of reach. The pressure is mounting now, getting at least a point at home to Real Madrid next Saturday night (7pm) is a tall order but vital to avoid slipping further out of touch.