Match ends, Atlético de Madrid 3, Real Valladolid 0.
Atl MadridAtlético Madrid3Real ValladolidReal Valladolid0
Atletico Madrid scored two goals in a minute against Real Valladolid to return to winning ways and keep their title challenge on track.
Diego Simeone's side lost in their last league outing, but were 2-0 ahead in the opening four minutes against Real.
Midfielder Raul Garcia opened the scoring after three minutes before turning provider moments later for Diego Costa's 21st in 24 league games.
Defender Diego Godin added the third with a header.
The victory moved Atletico clear at the summit although Barcelona replaced them at the top a few hours later after thrashing Rayo Vallecano 6-0.
Nevertheless the result was the perfect response to critics who had suggested Atletico's title charge was faltering after they won just two of their previous five league games.
Real, who are three points from safety with 14 games remaining, were blown away by Atletico's strong start.
Garcia found the net with a low shot into the corner - the 27-year-old's seventh league goal of the season - after Koke had touched a free-kick into his path.
Atletico's fans were still celebrating when Costa doubled the lead after running on to the ball and lobbing goalkeeper Diego Marino.
Uruguay international Godin's second league goal of the season sealed a comfortable win following a corner by former Brazil midfielder Diego.
Line-ups
Atl Madrid
Formation 4-4-2
- 13Courtois
- 20Torres Belén
- 22Insúa
- 14Fernández Arenas
- 12Alderweireld
- 2Godín
- 6KokeSubstituted forSosaat 79'minutes
- 4Suárez
- 19Diego Costa
- 8Garcia EscuderoSubstituted forRibas da Cunhaat 64'minutes
- 10TuranSubstituted forVillaat 76'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Aranzubia
- 7López Álvarez
- 9Villa
- 11Rodríguez
- 21Ribas da Cunha
- 23Miranda
- 24Sosa
Real Valladolid
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 13Mariño
- 2Rukavina
- 17PeñaBooked at 82mins
- 5Rossi
- 4Valiente
- 15MitrovicBooked at 86mins
- 11LarssonSubstituted forRamaat 72'minutes
- 18Rubio
- 9Guerra RodríguezSubstituted forContreiras Gonçalvesat 79'minutes
- 22Pérez AlonsoBooked at 82mins
- 14Ramos SuárezSubstituted forOsorio Botelloat 45'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Jiménez Merlo
- 7Osorio Botello
- 8Baraja
- 16Sastre Reus
- 19Rama
- 21Bergdich
- 23Contreiras Gonçalves
- Referee:
- Eduardo Prieto Iglesias
- Attendance:
- 47,000
Match Stats
Home TeamAtl MadridAway TeamReal Valladolid
- Possession
- Home46%
- Away54%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away4
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away0
- Corners
- Home8
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Atlético de Madrid 3, Real Valladolid 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Manucho (Real Valladolid) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Osorio with a headed pass following a set piece situation.
Post update
Antonio Rukavina (Real Valladolid) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Diego Godín (Atlético de Madrid).
Post update
Álvaro Rubio (Real Valladolid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Diego Costa (Atlético de Madrid).
Booking
Stefan Mitrovic (Real Valladolid) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Osorio (Real Valladolid).
Post update
Thibaut Courtois (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Osorio (Real Valladolid) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Diego Godín (Atlético de Madrid).
Post update
Foul by Valdet Rama (Real Valladolid).
Post update
Diego (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Carlos Peña (Real Valladolid) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
Víctor Pérez (Real Valladolid) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Attempt missed. Diego Godín (Atlético de Madrid) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Diego following a fast break.
Post update
Corner, Real Valladolid. Conceded by Emiliano Insúa.
Substitution
Substitution, Real Valladolid. Manucho replaces Javi Guerra.
Substitution
Substitution, Atlético de Madrid. José Sosa replaces Koke.
