Atletico Madrid moved back above Sevilla in LaLiga at least until Sunday, as Antoine Griezmann's penalty defeated Espanyol.
Match Report
Antoine Griezmann's penalty was enough as Atletico Madrid moved up to second in LaLiga after claiming an unremarkable 1-0 win over Espanyol, as the Frenchman reached 200 career goals for club and country.
Espanyol produced a fine performance given their wretched form, but Atletico just about managed to earn the victory which moves them back above Sevilla at least until Sunday thanks to Griezmann.
The visitors looked considerably more threatening in the first half, with Jan Oblak having to be at his best to deny Borja Iglesias and one-time Atletico striker Leo Baptistao.
But Espanyol's attacking threat fizzled out somewhat after the break and Atletico made the most of that, with Griezmann's penalty proving decisive and inflicting a sixth successive league defeat on Espanyol, their worst run since 2003.
Player Ratings
Match Events
56'Penalty Goal! Atletico 1-0 Espanyol (Griezmann)
ATLETI HAVE THE BREAKTHROUGH! 1-0! Griezmann makes good from the spot, smashing a finish into the roof of the net as Atletico have their lead! It spares the referee's blushes for not playing the advantage moments earlier, denying Correa a goal.
Line-ups
Atletico XI: D. Godín, N. Kalinić, S. Arias, Jan Oblak, Savic, A. Griezmann, Saúl, Koke, T.Partey, Correa, R.Hernández
Subs: Juanfran, Adán, Vitolo, Gelson Martins, Joaquín Muñoz, Francisco Montero, Borja Garcés
Espanyol XI: Diego López, S.García, Rosales, Granero, Ó. Duarte, Dídac , Naldo, D.López, S.Darder, Baptistao, Borja Iglesias
Subs: Roberto Jiménez, H.Pérez, V.Sánchez, Piatti, M.Roca, Adrià Pedrosa, Melendo