The victory lifted the Basque club to fifth place above Espanyol, who were three goals down by the 18th minute at Almeria and eventually lost 3-2.
Athletic Bilbao boosted their chances of a place in Europe next season when goals from David Lopez, Gaizka Toquero and Fernando Llorente gave them a 3-0 home win over 10-man Sporting Gijon in La Liga on Saturday.
The victory lifted the Basque club to fifth place above Espanyol, who were three goals down by the 18th minute at Almeria and eventually lost 3-2.
Lopez put Bilbao ahead from the penalty spot in the 16th minute at the San Mames after Llorente was impeded by Gregory and the French defender was dismissed for a second yellow card.
Iker Muniain set up Toquero just before the half hour when he weaved his way to the byline and pulled the ball back for the balding striker to finish high into the net.
Spain striker Llorente tapped in the home side's third from Markel Susaeta's low cross with around 20 minutes left.
Bilbao have 38 points from 22 matches, one ahead of Espanyol and three behind fourth-placed Valencia, who host promoted Hercules in Sunday's late kickoff (2000 GMT).
Barcelona can stretch their lead over second-placed Real Madrid at the top to 10 points with a win at home to erratic Atletico Madrid later on Saturday (2100).
Victory for the champions would set a new La Liga record for consecutive wins with 16, beating a 50-year-old mark set by Real in the 1960-61 season.
Real host promoted Real Sociedad on Sunday (1800).
Villarreal, six points behind Real in third, are at home to Levante later on Saturday (1900).
In other games on Saturday, Getafe thumped visiting Deportivo Coruna 4-1, Real Mallorca were held to a 1-1 draw at Osasuna and Real Zaragoza and Racing Santander played out a 1-1 stalemate in Zaragoza.
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