Spain round-up: Atlético hit form

On the rise
Greek striker Demis Nikolaidis put his side ahead with a well-taken goal on 19 minutes, Fernando Torres added two more after the break, one from the penalty spot, and fans' favourite Diego Simeone weighed in with a fourth late on. The win propelled Atlético into eighth place, level on points with seventh-placed Real Betis Balompié and one ahead of Sevilla FC and Real.

Depor top
RC Deportivo La Coruña retained top spot on Wednesday despite slipping to a 2-0 defeat at home by RCD Mallorca after rivals Valencia CF were held to a 2-2 draw at home to an improving RC Celta de Vigo. The Galicians lead the table on 21 points, just one ahead of last season's champions Real Madrid CF, who drew 0-0 at Real Zaragoza on Tuesday, and third-placed Valencia.

Dangerous attacks
After an evenly balanced opening quarter of an hour it was Atlético who began to put together some dangerous attacks with young forward Torres testing out the Real defence. Torres played a part in the opening goal, which resulted in Nikolaidis jinking past Real goalkeeper Sander Westerveld and curling the ball in with his left foot.

Two for Torres
The visitors rarely threatened and it was no surprise when they fell 2-0 behind in the 57th minute, Torres drilling in a penalty after he was felled by Westerveld. The same player took his tally for the season to five soon after when he scored with a brilliant angled header following a pinpoint cross from Jorge, and Simeone completed the scoring with his head in the 80th minute.