Match ends, Rayo Vallecano 2, Atlético de Madrid 4.
Rayo VallecanoRayo Vallecano2Atl MadridAtlético Madrid4
Atletico Madrid put their La Liga title charge back on track with a comfortable derby win against Rayo Vallecano.
David Villa side-footed in the opener for Atletico before Thibaut Courtois denied Rayo's Jonathan Viera's penalty.
Arda Turan made it 2-0 with a tap in, but Viera's deflected strike briefly gave Rayo hope.
Turan turned in Atletico's third at the far post, and an own goal by Saul made it 4-1 before Joaquin Larrivey's late consolation.
Diego Simeone's side had drawn their previous two games against Sevilla and Barcelona.
"It was important to win after two draws," said Atletico striker Villa.
"We had to win, that's the important thing, going ahead game by game. We can't think about the rest."
Atletico's first win since 4 January keeps the former leaders in a strong position as they challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid for the title.
They are second in the standings with 54 points, level with leaders Barcelona but behind on goal difference. Real are one point and one place below their city rivals.
A 15th defeat of the season leaves Madrid-based Rayo still rooted in the relegation zone, five points from safety.
Line-ups
Rayo Vallecano
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 13Martínez
- 21Arbilla
- 3Martínez García
- 10Trashorras
- 2Román Triguero
- 22SaúlBooked at 63mins
- 7BangouraSubstituted forRochinaat 57'minutes
- 4BaenaBooked at 26minsSubstituted forCastilloat 76'minutes
- 20Larrivey
- 23Bueno
- 19Viera RamosSubstituted forFalquéat 83'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Cobeño
- 11Castillo
- 16Rochina
- 17Galeano
- 24Falqué
- 27Cueva
- 32Embarba
Atl Madrid
Formation 4-4-2
- 13Courtois
- 17ManquilloBooked at 54mins
- 3Filipe Luís
- 6Koke
- 23Miranda
- 2Godín
- 24SosaSubstituted forTorres Muñozat 61'minutesSubstituted forRodríguezat 64'minutes
- 14Fernández Arenas
- 19Diego Costa
- 9VillaSubstituted forGarcia Escuderoat 80'minutes
- 10Turan
Substitutes
- 1Aranzubia
- 7López Álvarez
- 8Garcia Escudero
- 11Rodríguez
- 12Alderweireld
- 16Torres Muñoz
- 22Insúa
- Referee:
- Alberto Undiano Mallenco
- Attendance:
- 14,100
Match Stats
Home TeamRayo VallecanoAway TeamAtl Madrid
- Possession
- Home59%
- Away41%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away15
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away6
- Corners
- Home8
- Away9
- Fouls
- Home16
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Rayo Vallecano 2, Atlético de Madrid 4.
Post update
Corner, Atlético de Madrid. Conceded by Rubén Martínez.
Post update
Attempt saved. Diego Costa (Atlético de Madrid) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Arda Turan.
Post update
Corner, Rayo Vallecano. Conceded by Thibaut Courtois.
Post update
Attempt saved. Iago Falqué (Rayo Vallecano) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Joaquín Larrivey with a headed pass.
Post update
Attempt saved. Rubén Rochina (Rayo Vallecano) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Joaquín Larrivey.
Post update
Attempt missed. Raúl García (Atlético de Madrid) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right following a set piece situation.
Post update
Foul by Saúl Ñíguez (Rayo Vallecano).
Post update
Raúl García (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Alberto Bueno (Rayo Vallecano) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Iago Falqué.
Substitution
Substitution, Rayo Vallecano. Iago Falqué replaces Jonathan Viera.
Post update
Attempt missed. Alberto Bueno (Rayo Vallecano) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Jonathan Viera.
Post update
Foul by Rubén Rochina (Rayo Vallecano).
Post update
Gabi (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Atlético de Madrid. Raúl García replaces David Villa.
Post update
Attempt missed. Filipe Luis (Atlético de Madrid) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Arda Turan following a fast break.
Post update
Foul by Roberto Trashorras (Rayo Vallecano).
Post update
Arda Turan (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, Rayo Vallecano. Nery Castillo replaces Raúl Baena.
