Match ends, Celta de Vigo 0, Atlético de Madrid 2.
Celta VigoCelta Vigo0Atl MadridAtlético Madrid2
David Villa scored twice as Atletico Madrid beat Celta Vigo to go top of La Liga.
Following Barcelona's shock defeat at Real Valladolid and with Real Madrid not in action until Sunday, Atletico knew a victory would take them top courtesy of their head-to-head record with Real.
But for the first hour it looked like Atletico, with top scorer Diego Costa absent through suspension, were going to be frustrated.
Raul Garcia hit a shot from the wing 45 yards from goal that bounced over the crossbar, and Villa forced a good save from Yoel down low with Garcia unable to capitalise on the rebound.
Celta Vigo offered little going forward although Charles did force a close-range save from Thibaut Courtois.
And when Atletico's opener came it was from a Celta error.
Jonny Castro's horrible backpass was intercepted by Villa, who charged forward and slammed past Yoel at his near post.
And 90 seconds later the Spain international had doubled their lead. Substitute Jose Sosa, who had only been on the pitch four minutes, squared the ball from the right to Villa, who slammed home past Yose.
Mid-table Celta never looked like mounting a comeback with Alex Lopez's shot straight at Courtois as good as it got.
Real Madrid will return to the top of the table if they avoid defeat in their game in hand against Levante on Sunday.
Line-ups
Celta Vigo
Formation 4-3-3
- 13Rodríguez
- 2Mallo
- 22Cabral
- 3Fontàs
- 19Castro Otto
- 8López
- 4Oubiña
- 23Krohn-DehliSubstituted forMadindaat 74'minutes
- 14OrellanaSubstituted forFernándezat 60'minutes
- 11Dias de OliveiraBooked at 19minsSubstituted forMina Lorenzoat 68'minutes
- 10Nolito
Substitutes
- 1Álvarez
- 15Aurtenetxe
- 17Madinda
- 21López
- 24Fernández
- 25Soares de Morais
- 29Mina Lorenzo
Atl Madrid
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 13Courtois
- 20Torres Belén
- 23MirandaBooked at 66mins
- 12Alderweireld
- 3Filipe Luís
- 14Fernández ArenasBooked at 8mins
- 4SuárezBooked at 31mins
- 8García
- 21Ribas da CunhaSubstituted forRodríguezat 74'minutes
- 6KokeSubstituted forSosaat 60'minutes
- 9VillaSubstituted forLópezat 84'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Aranzubia
- 7López
- 11Rodríguez
- 18Giménez
- 22Insúa
- 24Sosa
- 37Nana Asare
- Referee:
- Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz
- Attendance:
- 29,600
Match Stats
Home TeamCelta VigoAway TeamAtl Madrid
- Possession
- Home58%
- Away42%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away13
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away7
- Corners
- Home2
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Celta de Vigo 0, Atlético de Madrid 2.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Augusto Fernández (Celta de Vigo) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Nolito.
Post update
Attempt saved. Cristian Rodríguez (Atlético de Madrid) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Raúl García.
Post update
Offside, Atlético de Madrid. José Sosa tries a through ball, but Adrián is caught offside.
Post update
Foul by Nolito (Celta de Vigo).
Post update
Gabi (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Atlético de Madrid. Adrián replaces David Villa.
Post update
Attempt missed. Cristian Rodríguez (Atlético de Madrid) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by José Sosa with a cross.
Post update
Álex López (Celta de Vigo) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Gabi (Atlético de Madrid).
Post update
Foul by Álex López (Celta de Vigo).
Post update
José Sosa (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt saved. Álex López (Celta de Vigo) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Santi Mina.
Substitution
Substitution, Celta de Vigo. Lévy Madinda replaces Michael Krohn-Dehli.
Substitution
Substitution, Atlético de Madrid. Cristian Rodríguez replaces Diego.
Post update
Foul by Nolito (Celta de Vigo).
Post update
Gabi (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Celta de Vigo. Santi Mina replaces Charles.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Diego (Atlético de Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Thibaut Courtois.
