Atlético stay in touch with Athletic scalp

Club Atlético de Madrid returned within a point of leaders FC Barcelona in the Spanish Liga as they made it 11 wins from 12 league outings via a straightforward 2-0 success against Athletic Club at the Estadio Vicente Calderón.

Diego Simeone's men went ahead after 32 minutes as David Villa's volley from ten metres slipped past Gorka Iraizoz and into the net. The lead was doubled nine minutes later when Diego Costa latched onto Koke's pass, cut inside Erik Morán – who was later sent off – and slipped in his 13th league goal of the season. That put the hosts back on the tails of Barcelona, who defeated RCD Espanyol 1-0 on Friday.

Valencia CF moved ninth courtesy of a 1-0 win at Getafe CF, sealed for them by Dorlan Pabón's remarkable strike from 30 metres, which flew into the top corner after Paco Alcácer had earlier struck the woodwork for the visitors.

Also on Sunday, Levante UD missed the chance to move level with fourth-placed Villarreal CF on 20 points as Piti's added-time goal condemned them to a 1-0 home defeat by Granada CF. As for Málaga CF, they were handed a last-gasp victory as Samu's 93rd-minute winner sealed a 3-2 win against Real Betis Balompié, who had twice pegged back the hosts before the late decider.