Atlético take control with Getafe success

Club Atlético de Madrid have surged three points clear at the Liga summit following a 2-0 success at Getafe CF, on a day when Sevilla FC triumphed by the same scoreline at derby rivals Real Betis Balompié.

Atlético welcomed Diego Costa back into their lineup after reaching the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in midweek, but they struggled to find a breakthrough until Diego Godín headed in from a long ball five minutes before the interval. The hosts then lost Ángel Lafita to a 64th-minute red card for fouling Costa in the area, although Jordi Codina saved the Spain forward's penalty.

Costa made up for that miss when he struck with four minutes remaining, but he had to leave the pitch on a stretcher after colliding with a post, leaving the Rojiblancos with a nervy wait to discover the extent of his injury. Diego Simeone's men nonetheless stand three points clear of Real Madrid CF, with FC Barcelona a further point back.

In Andalusia, fifth-placed Sevilla took the Seville derby spoils thanks to a pair of Kevin Gameiro goals. The French forward hit his first from the spot on the half-hour after Juan Carlos had been dismissed for impeding Carlos Bacca, and he struck again eight minutes from time to secure victory away against bottom side Betis.

Elsewhere, Valencia CF edged Elche CF 2-1, while in the late kick-off RCD Espanyol drew 2-2 with Rayo Vallecano de Madrid.