Jose Luis Mendilibar hailed his side’s stunning performance in beating 10-man Ponferradina at Ipurua on Wednesday night.
The Basques produced a brilliant fightback from a 3-0 first-leg Copa del Rey defeat to overcome the Segunda Division side 4-0 and claim their place in Friday’s last 16 draw.
Eibar came back thanks to goals from Borja Baston, Sergi Enrich, Simone Verdi and Mikel Arruabarrena, while the visitors had Jesus Berrocal dismissed on the half-hour mark for an elbow.
“We thought winning was possible and it has been because we put on an incredible performance,” Mendilibar told reporters.
“The sending off was good for us, and also the goal at the end of the first half, and we got the luck we haven’t had on other days.
“We were relaxed about the tie as it stood and didn’t want to be chasing goals. Those who don’t normally play might have wanted to do things quickly after the dismissal, but we had patience.”
