Angel Correa and Felipe got the goals as Atletico Madrid battled past Levante to start 2020 with a hard-fought home victory.
Match Report
Felipe's first LaLiga goal helped in-form Atletico Madrid to a 2-1 home win over Levante.
Three goals during a manic five-minute spell in the first half settled the match but did not typify an otherwise tepid encounter at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Angel Correa scored for the second straight game and while Roger Marti's ninth league goal of the season pulled Levante level, Felipe settled it with a powerful header.
Atletico now have four consecutive victories across all competitions and moved back to within five points of city rivals Real Madrid, while the result ended a three-match winning streak for Levante.
La Liga Standings
Match Events
1' Atletico's three consecutive shots denied
First Correa breaks into the box and tries to curl the ball into the bottom left-hand corner with the outside of his boot, but the keeper pushes it away, however, the rebound then falls straight to Joao Felix, who then fires a low shot towards goal, but the keeper saves with his feet. Saul then picks it up, but he takes too long on the ball and Levante get players back and Saul smashes it high over the crossbar.
13' GOAL! Atletico 1-0 Levante (Correa)
Correa with the opening goal of the game after 13 minutes. Thomas chipped the ball out to the right wing to Trippier who had time and space to perfectly pick out the run of Correa at the near post, who then just glancing it into the back of the net from a couple of yards out.
16' GOAL! Atletico 1-1 Levante (Marti)
Levante equalise just three minutes after conceding, it's 1-1! They win a free-kick in the middle of the Atletico half, which Campana chips into the box and Roger Marti meets it first-time on the volley, it takes a big deflection, which fools Oblak and it flies straight into the back of the net.
18' GOAL! Atletico 2-1 Levante (Felipe)
Atletico go straight up the other end of the pitch after the restart and work the ball into the Levante final third, with Lodi whipping a lovely cross into the box for Felipe, who heads home from around 12 yards out, straight into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
37' Correa's shot stopped by Feranadez
Fernandez with an excellent stop to deny Correa after the winger linked up well with Trippier down the right, then cut inside onto his left foot and fired the ball towards the bottom left-hand corner of the net. However, Fernandez was equal to it and tipped the ball away to safety.
55' Morata's shot wide out
Levante make a mess of a long ball over the top and Correa picks the ball up on the edge of the box, he heads it to Morata, who then tries to beat Fernandez at his near port from close range, but he fires the ball into the sidenetting. However, the flag was up for offside anyway.
78' CLOSE! Felix's shot inches wide
Joao Felix finds space on the edge of the penalty area as Trippier pulls the ball back to him, however, his drilled first time shot goes inches past the Levante post.
84' What a save from Oblak
Oblak is called into action to deny Bardhi after the winger dribbled past four Atletico defenders and found space in the box, just trying to poke it past Oblak at his near post. However, the Atletico keeper is equal to it and pushes it out wide to safety.